Ice hockey World Cup: Canada wins first semi

Enlarge image

Joint jubilation?

No, probably the battle for the puck between Canada and the USA

Photo: Natalia Fedosenko / imago images / ITAR-TASS

Canada surprisingly reaches for the 27th World Championship title at the Ice Hockey World Championship in Riga.

The selection from the ice hockey motherland without major NHL stars, who lost 3-1 to the German national team in the group stage and only reached the knockout round with their help, continued 4-2 in the first semi-final ( 1: 1, 1: 0, 2: 1) against the USA.

Brandon Pirri (3rd) gave the Canadians an early lead.

Colin Blackwell (18th) equalized for the Americans, who had previously won seven games in a row.

Andrew Mangiapane made the preliminary decision with his tournament goals six and seven (25./41.).

Another hit by the Canadians by Adam Henrique (31st) was denied due to offside after video evidence.

Sasha Chmelevski (44.) shortened again for the USA.

Justin Danford sealed the Canadian victory with 23 seconds to go.

Canada had a bad start in the World Cup

The opponent in the final on Sunday (7.15 p.m., TV: Sport1) will be determined in the second semifinals on Saturday (5.15 p.m., TV: Sport1) between defending champion Finland and the selection of the German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB).

The Canadians, who started the tournament with three defeats for the first time in World Cup history, knocked out gold favorites Russia 2-1 after extra time in the quarter-finals.

sak / sid / dpa