Canada storms into World Championship final with 4-2 win over Finland

Canada’s NHL-laden squad storms into the IIHF World Championship final after a dominant semifinal victory over Finland, setting up a showdown with Switzerland.

Canada’s star-studded roster, packed with NHL talent, overpowered Finland 4-2 in today’s semifinal at the IIHF World Championship in Prague, advancing to Sunday’s gold-medal final. Forward Connor McDavid opened the scoring at 12:47 of the first period, capitalizing on a power play, before linemate Nathan MacKinnon doubled the lead midway through the second. Finland’s Aleksander Barkov narrowed the gap with a shorthanded goal early in the third, but Canada’s depth proved decisive—Dylan Cozens restored the two-goal cushion with 8:12 remaining, and an empty-netter from Brayden Point sealed the win.

Finland, which had rallied from a 2-0 deficit to force overtime in its quarterfinal against Sweden, struggled to contain Canada’s offensive firepower. Goaltender Emil Larmi made 31 saves, but Finland’s attack—led by Barkov and Mikko Rantanen—managed just 22 shots on goal. "We knew their speed would test us, but we didn’t match their intensity in the neutral zone," Finnish coach Jukka Jalonen told reporters after the game .

Canada’s path to the final has been marked by clinical execution. The team entered the tournament as heavy favorites, boasting 19 NHL players—including reigning Hart Trophy winner McDavid, MacKinnon, and 2024 Stanley Cup champion Cozens. Their semifinal performance underscored the gulf in talent: Canada outshot Finland 35-22 and dominated possession, particularly in the second period, where they held a 14-4 edge in shots.

Switzerland, Canada’s opponent in Sunday’s final, earned its place with a 3-0 demolition of Norway earlier today. The Swiss, led by NHL defenseman Roman Josi, have been the tournament’s most disciplined team, conceding just eight goals in eight games. "They’re a machine—structured, patient, and lethal on the counter," said Norway’s captain, Mats Zuccarello, after the loss .

The final will mark Canada’s 28th appearance in the championship game since 2000, a record unmatched by any other nation. Switzerland, meanwhile, seeks its first gold since 1998 and only its second in history. Puck drop is scheduled for 20:20 local time (18:20 GMT) at Prague’s O2 Arena, with global broadcast rights held by NHL Network and TSN.

Canada’s roster reflects the country’s unparalleled NHL pipeline, with 14 of its 25 players currently under contract in the league. The team’s success has reignited debates about the IIHF’s "NHL factor"—whether the tournament’s competitive balance is skewed by nations able to deploy elite professionals. Finland, which won gold in 2022 with a roster of just three NHL players, has been the most consistent challenger to Canada’s dominance in recent years. This year’s squad, however, lacked the same cohesion, with key forwards like Patrik Laine and Sebastian Aho opting out of the tournament.

Sunday’s final will be the first meeting between Canada and Switzerland in a World Championship gold-medal game since 2013, when Canada won 3-2 in a shootout. The Swiss, who finished fourth in 2023, have steadily closed the gap, but Canada’s firepower—averaging 4.5 goals per game in the tournament—poses a formidable challenge. "We’re not here to play for silver," McDavid said after the semifinal. "We’ve got one more game to win."