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Team Canada gets revenge against Team Finland, advances to gold-medal game

Canada came into the semifinals fired up and ready to prove that they came to play against Finland.

Well, it was fun while it lasted.

After a massive 4-3 upset earlier in the tournament, Canada went into their rematch with Finland ready to prove that their first loss against the Finns was a fluke. They dispatched the Finns handily, limiting them to just 23 shots in a 4-0 win to advance to the gold medal game.

Give Finland credit where it’s due- though Canada did have puck possession for most of the game, Finland played a tight game with Canada, not giving them an inch. Noora  Räty did her best brick wall impression early, keeping Canada off the board early with several key stops.

But even Räty couldn’t keep Canada off the scoreboard forever.

Canada got the scoring started late in the first. A shot from the point rebounded right in front of Sarah Potomak, who scooped it up and slid it into a wide open net as Räty scrambled to get back into position.

Things started to go downhill for Finland in the second period, when Marie-Philip Poulin decided to do what Marie-Philip Poulin does and scored a highlight-reel goal off a pass from Natalie Spooner.

Afterwards, Poulin said that the goal was all Spooner. Sure, Pou. Sure it was.

Shortly after, Canada was on the power play after Finland went to the box for hooking. Rebecca Johnston made short work of the Finland’s defense to put Canada up 3-0.

Finland was scrambling for most of the game, but especially after the first period. The Finns had several power play opportunities but couldn’t get past Szabados. One of their best opportunities came at the end of the second period, but Szabados slammed the door.

Finland started the third on the power play and had four additional PP opportunities in the third, but Szabados came up big when it mattered, and Canada had a few shorthanded chances of their own. Finland pulled their goalie with five minutes to go in an attempt to tie it up, but Emily Clark sealed the deal with an empty-netter goal.

Team Canada will face off against the winner of Team USA and Team Germany tomorrow at 7:30 ET for the gold medal.

Team Finland will play for bronze at 3:30 ET.

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