USA already in the lead after 64 seconds
After just 64 seconds, the United States took the lead through Nate Schmidt. In the first third, a defender equalized in Miro Heiskanen (17th minute) before Finland turned the game around thanks to a goal from Sakari Manninen (25th). However, the lead didn’t last two minutes. Sean Farrell (27th) equalized again.
The fact that the Finns took the lead again in a turbulent encounter was thanks to an individual action by Sami Vatanen (30th). In the thrilling final third, Joel Armia (46th) made the decision. The goal of the American Adam Gaudette (58th) to connect came too late.
Canada is catching up
Canada got off to a better start in the second semi-final, but the Czech Republic scored. After eight minutes, David Krejčí made it 1-0 for the outsider. Disciplined, the Czechs kept their lead until the end of the first third. But 30 seconds before the siren, Dylan Cozens equalized for the “maple leaves”.
In the second round, the Canadians took over the command more clearly and coldly exploited their superiority. Between the 28th and 31st minutes, Adam Lowry, Kent Johnson and Mathew Barzal made it 4-1 in three minutes with a hat-trick.
That was the preliminary decision. The Czech Republic played more of a risk in the final section, but Canada remained in control and extended their lead to 6:1 through Cole Sillinger (44th) and again Cozens (53rd).
Source: dpa