Nathan MacKinnon scores winner in final minute, Canada survives Finland to play for gold

With just 36 seconds left in the Olympic semifinal, Nathan MacKinnon answered the bell for Canada

Feb 20, 2026, 11:43 AM Updated: 11:49 am

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With just 36 seconds left in the Olympic semifinal, Nathan MacKinnon answered the bell.

The world’s greatest hockey team had its back against the wall for a second straight game. After not trailing since the 2010 Olympics, Canada came from behind to beat the Czechs in the quarterfinal. Two days later, they found themselves down again.

Finland got off to a hot start with a goal from former Colorado Avalanche star Mikko Rantanen in the first, then an Erik Haula tally in the second to take a 2-0 lead. A Sam Reinhart tip goal off a Cale Makar shot on the power play 10 minutes later cut the deficit in half and was a sign of what was to come.

“We gave one up on the power play, and we’re able to get one back,” Reinhart said at intermission. “So it was big to be able to stick with it.”

Midway through the third period, Shea Theodore evened the game at two.

MacKinnon had a great chance in the dying minutes of the game, but the puck somehow bounced off the knob of Finland goalie Juuse Saros’ stick. A few seconds later, on the same shift, he drew a high-sticking penalty on Niko Mikkola.

The ensuing power play meant either a Canada winner was coming or a big Finnish kill would send the contest to 3-on-3 overtime.

So the best team in the world sent MacKinnon out there for the faceoff, with Makar behind him, surrounded by Reinhart, Connor McDavid and Macklin Celebrini.

After a dramatic minute of stopped shots and close chances, the moment arrived. McDavid settled the puck on the far circle and sauced a pass to the near circle, where MacKinnon was waiting with his stick held high. Just as the puck got to him, he unleashed a giant one-time slap shot toward the near side of the net, just beating Saros to the post as he worked across the ice mirroring the pass.

MacKinnon’s huge shot bounced off Saros’ skate and snuck into the goal. MacKinnon found twine, with a clutch score and Canada’s hopes of playing for Olympic Gold were realized.

NATHAN MACKINNON IN THE FINAL MINUTE. CANADA HAVE PULLED OFF THE COMEBACK. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/3jMB2EWWfU

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 20, 2026

MacKinnon goal was historic too, He became just the second player to score a go-ahead goal in the final minute of regulation during a Winter Olympics featuring NHL players, and the first to do so in the playoff round.

Canada held on for the final 35 seconds and now awaits the winner of USA-Slovakia in the other semifinal. That winner will meet the Canadians Sunday at 6 a.m. in the Gold Medal Game. That means it’s likely that four Avs will play for gold—MacKinnon, Makar, and Devon Toews from Canada, plus Brock Nelson (USA).