WJHC – Team Canada’s Gold Medal Hopes “Finnished”

It was a very disappointing semi-final game for Team Canada as their hopes of returning to the top of the medal podium and a guarantee of snapping a 1 year medal drought were dashed 5-1 to Team Finland.

The Canadians shot themselves in the foot time and again with undisciplined play, at one time having their top two centres – Jonathan Drouin and Nic Petan – both in the penalty box at the same time sitting out with 10 minute misconducts.

The pesky Finns did an excellent job shutting the door after taking a 3-1 lead and Canada did them a favor in the third period by becoming 22 individuals instead of a team as many rushes were 1 on 5 and then snuffed out.  Finland scored on a late penalty shot and added an empty netter to make the score more lopsided than the actual game was.

Canada lost their composure in this game, and will have to regain it over night as they are back at it on Sunday when they face Russia in the Bronze Medal game. If they lose that one they will come home empty handed for a second straight year.

Of not to Senators fans, following the game, the teams named their top three players of the tournament, and Canada’s included Ottawa’s 2013 first round draft pick Curtis Lazar.