Canada goes to IIHF final winning 4-2 over Latvia

Canada scored three goals in the final period for a 4-2 win over Latvia in the first semifinal of IIHF at the Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland.

USA and Germany play in the second semi-final and will determine Canada’s opponent in the final.

The Latvians took a double lead with goals from Dans Lochmelis in the first period and Rudolfs Balchers in the second. Sammy Blais of the St. Louis Blues temporarily tied the score for the 27-time champions.

Canada delivered the decisive blow in the final third. Jack Quinn of the Buffalo Sabers tied the game 45 seconds into the game, and eight minutes later, 18-year-old University of Michigan junior Adam Fantilly scored the game-winning puck.

🇨🇦 @hockeycanada is heading to the gold medal game!🏆 #CANLAT #IIHFWorlds

Full game recap ⤵️https://t.co/trsL2JnCoK pic.twitter.com/l5NWMOeZbI

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— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 27, 2023

Scott Laughton, one of the captains of the Philadelphia Flyers, finished off the opponent with an empty net goal 43 seconds before the end.

Samuel Montembo blocked 22 shots for the Canadians, and Arthurs Shilovs made 32 saves in the opposite net.