Late Power-Play Goal Stands After Failed Challenge in Canada’s 3-2 Thriller Over Finland

In the dying moments of the third period ( 0:35.2), with Team Canada on the power play (after a Finnish penalty, likely high-sticking), Nathan MacKinnon fired a shot that squeezed in at the near post, beating Juuse Saros to make it Canada 3, Finland 2. The goal was assisted by Connor McDavid and Macklin Celebrini.

MACKINNON GIVES CANADA THE 3-2 LEAD WITH 30 SECONDS LEFT 🚨🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/8RTJnoAATP

— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) February 20, 2026

Finland immediately challenged for offside (a play well before the goal, as they had nothing to lose with time expiring). Video review upheld the goal—no offside, so it stood as a good goal. It was extremely close, but the feeling was that the call wasn’t clear enough to overturn on the ice.

This dagger sent Canada to the gold-medal final in a thrilling 3-2 comeback win after trailing 2-0 early (Rantanen PP, Haula shorthanded) and tying it via Reinhart (PP) and Theodore (point blast). MacKinnon’s snipe was the biggest goal of his Olympic career. McDavid broke the record earlier in the tournament for points by an NHL player, then added to it, scoring 13 total points up to this point.

The drama in this game was at an all-time high. Team Canada looked like they might let this slip early, but they kept pushing, eventually crawling back to take the lead in the final moments.

McDavid said after the game, “Putting our country through it. A lot of stressful moments for everyone at home, but you know what, it’s been fun.”

Head coach Jon Cooper on whether Crosby might play in the gold medal game, “He’s got a lot better chance of playing in the gold medal game than he did today.”

Next: History for McDavid: 12th Point Breaks Olympic NHL-Era Record