Late goal propels Macklin Celebrini, Canada into Olympic Gold Medal game
San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini didn’t score in Canada’s Olympic semifinal game against Finland on Friday. And right now, he doesn’t care.
Celebrini and his Canadian teammates are getting ready to play for a gold medal.
Celebrini had the second assist on Nathan MacKinnon’s power play goal with 35.2 seconds left in the third period as Canada earned a nail-biting 3-2 win over Finland at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
On the play, Celebrini retrieved the puck below the goal line to the right of the Finnish net. He then sent a pass out to Connor McDavid, who found MacKinnon with a seam pass through the slot. The Colorado Avalanche center then made no mistake, beating Finnish goalie Juuse Saros on the short side with just two seconds left on the power play.
The goal was reviewed, with Finland challenging that Celebrini entered the offensive zone before the puck completely crossed the blue line. But after a harrowing minute, officials determined that Celebrini was still onside — by the slimmest of margins — and the on-ice call of a good goal was confirmed.
Celebrini, the youngest NHL player in the Olympic tournament, led Canada in ice time (25:53) and a staggering eight shots on net. He now has 10 points in five games for Canada at these Olympics.
NATHAN MACKINNON IN THE FINAL MINUTE. CANADA HAVE PULLED OFF THE COMEBACK. pic.twitter.com/3jMB2EWWfU
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 20, 2026
Celebrini and Team Canada will now play the winner of Friday’s other semifinal, the United States vs. Slovakia, in the Gold Medal game on Sunday morning. Sharks winger Pavol Regenda has four points for Slovakia in the tournament.
Trailing by a goal, Canada tied the game 2-2 on Shea Theodore’s goal with 9:26 left in the third period, as the Vegas Golden Knights defenseman’s shot from just inside the blue line got past Saros.
Celebrini and the Canadians outshot Finland 14-3 in the second period but still trailed 2-1 after the two teams traded goals on special teams.
On a power play, Canada turned the puck over inside the Finnish zone as an errant pass came out to the neutral zone. That’s where Erik Haula picked it up and started in on goalie Jordan Binnington on a breakaway, going forehand to backhand to beat the St. Louis Blues goalie and give Finland a 2-0 lead 3:26 into the second period.
Canada got that goal back on its next power play, as a shot from the point by defenseman Cale Makar was tipped by winger Sam Reinhart past the goalie with 5:40 left in the second period, cutting Finland’s lead to 2-1.
Through two periods, Celebrini not only led Canada with six shots on net, but also in ice time (16:54).
Finland opened the scoring with 3:05 left in the first period.
Just starting a power play with forward Sam Bennett serving a goalie interference penalty, Sebastian Aho won a draw back to Mikko Rantanen, who quickly fired a shot that found the upper corner past goalie Jordan Binnington to give Finland a 1-0 lead.
Celebrini had two shots of Canada’s eight shots in the first period when he had 7:51 of ice time. He was once again on the top line alongside Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, as he’s been all tournament, as Canada advanced to the semifinal with four straight wins.
Celebrini entered Friday tied for second in tournament scoring with nine points. He led the tournament with five goals, becoming just the fourth player to score in four straight Olympic games featuring NHL players.