Canada Faces Finland in High-Stakes Men’s Hockey Semifinal at 2026 Winter Olympics: Viewing Guide, Odds, and Key Matchups
MILAN, Italy — Top-seeded Canada clashes with Finland in the men’s ice hockey semifinal at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on Friday, with a berth in the gold medal game on the line. The matchup, set for 10:40 a.m. ET at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, pits two overtime thriller winners from the quarterfinals against each other.
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Semifinal Schedule and Stakes
The Olympic men’s hockey tournament has reached its final four, featuring Canada, Finland, the United States, and Slovakia. Canada’s semifinal against Finland kicks off the action at 10:40 a.m. ET, followed by USA vs. Slovakia at 3:10 p.m. ET. The winners advance to Sunday’s gold medal game at 8:10 a.m. ET, while losers meet in Saturday’s bronze medal match at 2:40 p.m. ET. All remaining games are at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
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| Match | Date | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada vs. Finland | Friday, Feb. 20 | 10:40 a.m. | Milano Santagiulia Arena |
| USA vs. Slovakia | Friday, Feb. 20 | 3:10 p.m. | Milano Santagiulia Arena |
| Bronze Medal Game | Saturday, Feb. 21 | 2:40 p.m. | Milano Santagiulia Arena |
| Gold Medal Game | Sunday, Feb. 22 | 8:10 a.m. | Milano Santagiulia Arena |
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How Canada and Finland Advanced
Canada, the Group A winner, dominated early with a 5-0 shutout of Czech Republic, 5-1 over Switzerland, and a 10-2 rout of France. They edged Czechia 4-3 in overtime during the quarterfinals, thanks to Mitch Marner’s sudden-death goal in three-on-three extra time.
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Finland, after a 4-1 group stage loss to Slovakia, rebounded with a 4-1 win over Sweden and an 11-0 demolition of Italy in Group B. Artturi Lehkonen scored in overtime to secure a 3-2 quarterfinal victory over Switzerland.
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Viewing Options for Canadian Fans
Canadian viewers can catch the game live on CBC Television, with streaming available across CBC Olympic platforms. Hockey Canada confirms all men’s tournament games, including this semifinal, will be broadcast on these channels. International fans should check local listings, as NHL participation has boosted global coverage.
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“Get ready for world-class hockey action as the 2026 Winter Olympics bring NHL stars back to the Olympic stage.”
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Betting Odds and Expert Picks
Canada enters as heavy favorites at -430, with Finland at +330, per FanDuel Sportsbook. The over/under for total goals is 5.5. Expert Matthew Severance, on a 26-12 roll, picks the Under 5.5 goals (-115), citing tight historical matchups. The teams have split their last six meetings, with Finland holding a slight 74-70 edge in total goals across 27 games.
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Star Players and NHL Connections
Canada boasts NHL talent like Mitch Marner and Washington Capitals’ Tom Wilson and Logan Thompson. Finland’s roster features overtime hero Artturi Lehkonen. Three Washington Capitals remain in contention: Wilson and Thompson for Canada, Martin Fehervary for Slovakia.
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With NHL players returning after a 12-year Olympic absence, Canada are gold medal favorites, having won in 2010 and 2014. Finland took gold in 2014 as well, adding intrigue to this rematch.
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Tournament Recap
The playoffs began February 17 with Czech Republic topping Denmark 3-2, Sweden beating Latvia 5-1, Germany over France 5-1, and Switzerland shutting out Italy 3-0. Quarterfinals on February 18 saw Canada down Czechia 4-3 (OT), USA over Sweden 2-1, Slovakia crushing Germany 6-2, and Finland edging Switzerland 3-2 (OT).
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Group Stage Highlights
- Canada (Group A): 5-0 vs. Czechia, 5-1 vs. Switzerland, 10-2 vs. France
- Finland (Group B): 4-1 loss to Slovakia, 4-1 vs. Sweden, 11-0 vs. Italy
- USA (Group C): 5-1 vs. Latvia, 6-3 vs. Denmark, 5-1 vs. Germany
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What’s Next?
As the semifinals unfold, fans worldwide anticipate medal glory. Canada seeks to reclaim dominance, while Finland aims to repeat past successes. Tune in early—games start in the morning ET—to witness history at Milano Cortina 2026.
This article will update with live results and post-game analysis.
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