Germany stun defending champions Canada to reach Olympic final
By Richard Johnson
Last Updated: 23/02/18 5:23pm
Germany continued their miracle run at the Winter Olympics by beating defending men's ice hockey champions Canada 4-3 to reach their first gold medal game.
Without their NHL stars, the nine-time champions were outplayed by Germany, who will face the Olympic Athletes from Russia in Sunday's final, while Canada will play the Czech Republic for bronze on Saturday.
The defeat comes a day after Canada's women's hockey team were denied a fifth-straight gold in a shootout against big rivals America.
Germany took a 3-0 lead midway through the second period with Brooks Macek, Matthias Plachta and Frank Mauer on target.
Gilbert Brule pulled one back for Canada, who were looking to secure a third consecutive final appearance despite entering the tournament without NHL talent for the first time since 1994.
Patrick Hager restored the three-goal advantage only for Canada to fight back from 4-1 down at the start of the third period.
With a comeback on the cards Brule was then ejected for checking David Wolf to the head and Germany held on for the victory.
The 66-1 outsiders at the start of the competition are now assured their best ever Olympic ice hockey result, their only previous medal being bronze in 1932, plus a bronze for West Germany in 1976.
Canada are at risk of failing to medal at the Olympics for the first time since 2006.
