Canada heads to Olympic hockey gold medal game after 3-2 win over Finland

Canada’s men’s hockey team has earned a spot in Sunday’s gold medal game at the Milan Cortina Olympics after beating Finland 3-2 in Friday’s semifinal.

Fans packed into Joe Dog’s Gasbar Grill in Burlington, which erupted when the go-ahead goal went in. Now one win stands between Canada and its first men’s Olympic gold since 2014.

Inside Joe Dog’s, strangers were hugging and high-fiving and pints were raised.

“Incredible game! Probably the best hockey I’ve watched in a very long time. For us to be down and bring it back, I thought it was incredible,” said Eric Wallis.

Fans came to drum up their support for Team Canada.

“The thing that was going through my mind is don’t mess up — don’t lose it for us,” said Oakville resident Jarrod Bigge. “Finland’s put a lot of pressure on us and they’ve kept up the pressure.”

The game had everything — big hits, huge saves, and clutch plays when it mattered most.

Even with captain Sidney Crosby listed day-to-day coming in — fans say the team’s depth stepped up.

“Disappointed not to see him out there but hopefully when we get to the gold medal game he’s there,” said Burlington resident Jonathan Ross.

READ MORE: Canadian Olympic men’s hockey team gets OT victory; Dubois wins short-track gold

Before Canada scored the go-ahead goal, people were sitting tensely.

“Nail-biter again,” said Burlington Coun. Lisa Kearns. “It’s going to be awesome! Looking forward to Sunday, 7 a.m., we’ll start the party rollin’.”

Canada will face the winner of the other semifinal matchup between the United States and Slovakia.

To help celebrate Team Canada, Ontario is allowing bars and restaurants across the province to sell alcohol starting at 6 a.m. on Sunday.

Team Canada currently has 17 medals at these Winter Games.

READ MORE: U.S. beats Canada 2-1 in heartbreaking overtime for women’s hockey gold