As Team Canada’s men’s hockey plays against Finland in the semifinals at Milano Cortina 2026 — the second team to advance to the medal round — Montreal fans gather for a watch party in sports bar La Cage at the Bell Centre.
Finland currently has a 2-1 lead against Canada.
Mikko Rantanen scored Finland’s first point of the game during the first period, after ripping a shot past Jordan Binnington on the power play. With 16:34 remaining of the second period, Erik Haula scored a breakaway, shorthanded goal.
Canada’s Cale Makar scored toward the end of the second period during a power play, following a tipped-in shot by Sam Reinhart.
On Wednesday, Canada defeated Czechia in a tight 4-3 overtime game. Slovakia also secured a spot in the semis after defeating Germany 6-2 earlier that day.
Canadian Captain Sidney Crosby has been ruled out for today’s semi-final due to a lower-body injury during Wednesday’s game, as announced by Hockey Canada on Friday morning. Instead, Connor McDavid is serving as captain, while Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon are alternates.
Montreal fans watch Team Canada’s men’s hockey take on Finland in semi-final at Le Cage on Feb. 20, 2026.
Finland is currently the lowest-remaining seed in the semis — the team achieved a comeback after defeating fifth-seeded Switzerland 3-2 in an overtime quarter-final battle.
Today’s game follows the heartbreaking loss of Team Canada’s women’s hockey final against the USA yesterday. Canada played a narrowly tight game, losing 2-1 in the overtime round to receive the silver metal.
Canada takes a team photo with their silver medals after losing to USA during overtime of the women’s gold medal hockey game at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette