KAMLOOPS, B.C. — Team Canada is going back to the IIHF world championship final, although they had more than a few hearts racing at the Sandman Centre Sunday night on their way getting there.
The tournament’s host side eked out a 5-3 win over Finland in the semifinal round before a crowd of 4,007. They’ll meet the Americans for gold for the 17th straight worlds Monday here (7:30 p.m. PST).
The U.S., the two-time reigning tournament champions, punched their ticket to the finale earlier Sunday evening thanks to a 9-0 romp over Russia.
Finnish coach Pasi Mustonen started pulling goalie Meeri Raisanen in favour of an extra attacker with his team on power plays when Canada’s Jennifer Wakefield was whistled for an illegal check with 8:38 to go and the home team leading 3-1.