The Canadian national ice hockey team, who are the reigning world champions, defeated team US 4-3 on Saturday late evening in the Russian capital of Moscow to proceed further on their way for the title of the 2016 IIHF World Championship in Russia.
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Canada’s Derick Brassard reacts after scoring team’s third goal during the Ice Hockey World Championships semifinal match between canada and United States of America, in Moscow, Russia, on Saturday, May 21, 2016.
Canda’s clash with Finland on Sunday will be a repeat of the final game in Group B, which saw the Finns thrash them 4-0.
Canada, the defending champion, faces Finland Sunday for the gold medal (1:15 p.m. ET).
Bill Peters’ Canada side got off to a fine start as they moved into a 2-0 lead at the end of the first period following goals from Brendan Gallagher and Brad Marchand. But the momentum changed in the second period as Auston Matthews, David Warsofsky and Tyler Motte scored within a span of 7:11 for the Americans.
“I feel really great being in the final”, Jokerit Helsinki defenceman Topi Jaakola said. Finland then shut down the game in the third to secure the win. “I didn’t have my best game against them, so I’ll be looking to play a better game tomorrow and to give us a chance to win”. Aho, an NHL prospect, tied up the game with a power play slapshot before Jussi Jokinen scored a wrist shot off a pass across the crease from NHL No. 1 draft pick contender Patrik Laine.
Brassard brought Canada even once again on the power play at 15:30, shooting the puck into a gaping net after Kinkaid was forced out of position during a goalmouth scramble.
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In the second semi, Russian Federation will play two-time former world champions Finland, who beat the tournament hosts in the quarter-finals of Sochi Olympics and the world championships in 2007 and 2011.
