Canada, U.S. set for Olympic men's ice hockey final

MILAN, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- The stage is set for a North American showdown in the Milan-Cortina 2026 men's ice hockey gold medal game after Canada and the United States advanced through contrasting semifinal victories on Friday.

Canada staged a dramatic comeback to defeat defending champion Finland 3-2, overturning a two-goal deficit with three unanswered goals - including a power-play winner by Nathan MacKinnon with just 35 seconds left in regulation. The victory marks Canada's first appearance in an Olympic final since winning gold at Sochi 2014.

Finland struck first on a Mikko Rantanen power-play goal late in the opening period and doubled its lead early in the second when Erik Haula finished a shorthanded breakaway. But Canada responded with relentless pressure. Sam Reinhart and Shea Theodore managed to level the score 2-2. MacKinnon delivered the decisive blow in the final minute to clinch the victory.

"We got a big first goal so we could take a breath, we were only down one," said Canada's head coach Jon Cooper.

"Pretty exciting game, but they've given their coach heart palpitations."

In the day's other semifinal, the United States dominated Slovakia from start to finish, cruising to a 6-2 victory.

The gold medal game is scheduled for Sunday at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Finland and Slovakia will face off for bronze on Saturday. ■