Finland secured a 4-2 victory over Canada in the semifinals of the Ice Hockey World Championship, earning a spot in the gold‑medal match against Switzerland.
The Finnish team, anchored by Aleksander Barkov and bolstered by a goal and an assist from Konsta Helenius, surged ahead in the second period with three unanswered goals, out‑shooting the Canadians 10‑3.
A rally that defined the game
Mikael Granlund contributed two assists, while goaltender Justus Annunen turned away 28 shots, preserving the lead after Canada had opened the scoring with a goal from Robert Thomas.
Canada’s response came from Dylan Holloway, but netminder Jet Greaves could only manage 17 saves before the Finnish offense proved too much.
Switzerland’s march to the final
Earlier, Switzerland had blanked Norway 6‑0, with Leonardo Genoni making 20 saves and a balanced attack that saw Nico Hischier lead the scoring table with 15 points from nine games.
The Swiss squad, missing New Jersey Devils forward Timo Meier due to a suspension for a kneeing incident involving Oskar Sundqvist, relied on depth scoring and disciplined defense to advance.
The upcoming final promises a historic clash, as Finland seeks its fifth world title while Switzerland aims for its first, setting the stage for a compelling contest on the ice.
Bronze‑medal battle
Canada will face Norway for the bronze medal, with both teams looking to salvage their tournaments after semifinal defeats. The match will feature standout talents such as Macklin Celebrini and Sidney Crosby, who have been key contributors for Canada throughout the championship.