Canada vs Finland Olympic Hockey Semifinal: Who Reaches Gold Medal Game?

Canada and Finland, the top two scoring teams, face off in the Olympic men's hockey semifinal on February 21, 2026. This game decides who plays for gold.
By Newsroom | Sports, Hockey |

The men's Olympic hockey tournament is reaching a critical stage as Canada and Finland face off in a semifinal match to determine who will advance to the gold medal game. This matchup pits two of the highest-scoring teams in the tournament against each other, with both nations having secured victories in their quarterfinal games, often in dramatic fashion. The stakes are high as only one can progress towards a shot at the gold medal, while the other will compete for bronze.

Live updates: Canada faces Finland in men's hockey semifinals - 1

Tournament Progress and Matchup Context

Both Canada and Finland have demonstrated resilience and offensive capability on their path to the semifinals.

Live updates: Canada faces Finland in men's hockey semifinals - 2

  • Canada, ranked No. 1, enters this game following a 4-3 overtime victory against Czechia in the quarterfinals. This marks a significant point in their Olympic history, aiming for their fourth consecutive win in semifinal appearances when NHL participation is involved.

  • Finland, ranked No. 4, also secured a come-from-behind win in their quarterfinal, defeating Switzerland 3-2 in overtime. This win, coupled with Canada's, makes either team the first to achieve consecutive comeback wins in the playoff rounds of an Olympics featuring NHL participation.

This semifinal is scheduled to take place alongside another important matchup: USA vs. Slovakia. The outcomes of these games will directly determine the participants in both the gold and bronze medal games.

Live updates: Canada faces Finland in men's hockey semifinals - 3

Team Strengths and Player Focus

Analysis of the teams' performance indicates distinct strengths and key players to watch.

Read More: Canada vs Finland Olympic Hockey Semifinal on February 20 2026 Changes Game Plans

Live updates: Canada faces Finland in men's hockey semifinals - 4

  • Offensive Firepower: Both teams have proven to be prolific scorers. Canada has amassed 24 goals, the highest total among all teams in the tournament. Finland is close behind with 19 goals, ranking second.

  • Depth of Scoring: While Canada has 12 skaters with multiple points, Finland boasts 15 players with multiple points, a figure tied with Team USA for the highest. This suggests a broader distribution of offensive threats within the Finnish squad.

  • Goaltending Matchup: The goaltending duel is expected to feature Jordan Binnington for Canada against Juuse Saros of Finland. Saros, a goalie for the Nashville Predators, will be a key figure for the Finnish team.

  • Notable Absences: Reports indicate that Sidney Crosby will be out for this crucial semifinal match. His absence is a significant factor for Team Canada's lineup and strategy.

Path to the Semifinals

The journey for both Canada and Finland to reach this stage has been marked by hard-fought victories.

  • Canada's Quarterfinal: Achieved a 4-3 overtime win against Czechia.

  • Finland's Quarterfinal: Secured a 3-2 overtime win against Switzerland.

The fact that both teams have advanced via overtime wins in their respective quarterfinal matchups highlights the competitive nature of this tournament and the close margins by which teams are progressing.

Player Milestones and Team Representation

Individual achievements and the composition of the teams also offer insight into the dynamics of the semifinal.

  • Macklin Celebrini: Canada's captain for this contest is Connor McDavid. earlier made Olympic history at the age of 19.

  • NHL Player Representation: The tournament features players from all 32 NHL teams among the remaining four clubs. Team USA has the broadest representation with players from 18 teams, while Finland has the most players from a single franchise, with four players from the Dallas Stars.

Expert Analysis

"Both teams earned come-from-behind victories in their quarterfinal matchups. The two highest-scoring teams of the Olympics will go head-to-head." - NHL.com

"The key for Finland today? What a save Saros P1 17:00 - Canada 0, Finland 0 Canada’s top line nearly gets on the scoresheet early." - The Athletic

Conclusion

The semifinal clash between Canada and Finland presents a highly anticipated contest, featuring two offensively potent teams that have demonstrated their ability to win close games, including overtime victories. While Canada appears to be the top-ranked offensive team, Finland exhibits greater depth in scoring across its roster. The absence of Sidney Crosby for Canada is a notable development. The goaltending matchup between Binnington and Saros will be a critical factor in determining which team advances to the gold medal game, and which will compete for the bronze. The outcome of this game, alongside the USA vs. Slovakia semifinal, will definitively shape the medal standings for the men's Olympic hockey tournament.

Read More: Marie-Philip Poulin sets new Olympic goal record for Canada women's hockey team in 2026

Sources Used:

  • Sporting News Canada: Provides information on how to watch, key players, and historical context for Canada's semifinal appearances.

  • URL: https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/olympics/news/canada-finland-live-score-highlights-2026-hockey-semifinals/24c2aef3f471f867571664b8

  • The New York Times (The Athletic): Reports on the live score, updates, and player status, including notable absences like Sidney Crosby.

  • URL: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/canada-vs-finland-live-score-mens-hockey-winter-olympics/69WZ2HeXj5cj/

  • NHL.com: Offers a live blog format for the semifinal, detailing team statistics, historical performance, and tournament progression.

  • URL: https://www.nhl.com/news/topic/olympics/live-blog-canada-vs-finland-milano-cortina-hockey-semifinal

  • The Tennessean: Covers game time, channel information, and goaltending matchups, referencing specific players and their teams.

  • URL: https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nhl/predators/2026/02/20/olympic-mens-hockey-semifinal-canada-finland-live-updates-time-channel/88775376007/

  • ESPN (UK): Lists the semifinal matchups, times, and details team representation in terms of NHL players and franchises.

  • URL: https://www.espn.co.uk/nhl/story/_/id/47985447/2026-milan-cortina-winter-olympics-live-updates-men-hockey-canada-finland-usa-slovakia

  • Inkl: Provides live updates and analysis for the men's hockey semifinals, framing the importance of the game for Team Canada.

  • URL: https://www.inkl.com/news/canada-men-s-hockey-vs-finland-live-updates-score-highlights-and-analysis

  • USA Today: Reports on the live score and updates, also mentioning Sidney Crosby's status for the Olympic semifinals.

  • URL: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2026/02/20/canada-finland-hockey-live-updates-score-olympic-games-semifinal-milan-cortina-2026/88770640007/

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When is the Canada vs Finland men's Olympic hockey semifinal game?
The Canada vs Finland men's Olympic hockey semifinal game is scheduled for February 21, 2026. This game will decide which team moves on to the gold medal match.
Q: How did Canada and Finland reach the semifinal?
Canada beat Czechia 4-3 in overtime in their quarterfinal game. Finland also won their quarterfinal match, defeating Switzerland 3-2 in overtime.
Q: What are the strengths of Canada and Finland in this semifinal?
Canada has scored the most goals in the tournament with 24. Finland is second with 19 goals and has more players with multiple points, showing scoring depth. Goaltender Juuse Saros is key for Finland.
Q: Who is missing from the Canada vs Finland semifinal game?
Sidney Crosby will not play for Team Canada in this crucial semifinal match. His absence is a significant factor for the Canadian team.
Q: What is the significance of the Canada vs Finland semifinal game?
This semifinal is important because the winner will play for the Olympic gold medal, while the loser will compete for the bronze medal. It features the two highest-scoring teams in the tournament.