Feb 18, 2018; Gangneung, South Korea; Canada defenseman Maxim Noreau (56) plays the puck against Canada in the first period during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY Sports
GANGNEUNG, South Korea (Reuters) - Maxim Noreau scored the only goal as Canada beat Finland 1-0 on Wednesday to win a spot in the semi-final round of the Olympic men's ice hockey tournament.
For Canada, defending gold medallists, it is their third straight appearance in the Olympic semi-finals and sets up a match on Friday against Germany, surprise winners over top-seeded Sweden in overtime.
Ice Hockey - Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics - Man’s Quarterfinal Match - Canada v Finland - Gangneung Hockey Centre, Gangneung, South Korea - February 21, 2018 - Maxim Noreau of Canada celebrates his goal with Christian Thomas and Chay Genoway. REUTERS/Brian Snyder
It was a scoreless tie until early in the third period when Eric O'Dell won a face off in the Finland zone and got the puck back to Noreau who blasted a slap shot past Finland's Mikko Koskinen into the upper left corner of the net.
"I got the face off there and I knew we were trying to set up Maxie, and we know what kind of shot he has and it was in the back of the net when he got it," O'Dell said. "That was huge for our team, and I think that got us going a bit."
For Noreau, it was redemption of sorts after his effort in the penalty-shot round in Canada's loss to the Czech Republic last Saturday hit the goal post, securing victory for the Czechs.
Ice Hockey - Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics - Man’s Quarterfinal Match - Canada v Finland - Gangneung Hockey Centre, Gangneung, South Korea - February 21, 2018 - Goalie Kevin Poulin of Canada reacts during a break in action. REUTERS/David W Cerny
Canada had to change goaltenders early in the second period when starter Ben Scrivens was injured following a collision with Finland's Veli-Matti Savinainen, who was checked on top of him by O'Dell. Kevin Poulin replaced him and preserved the shutout.
"I just took him (Savinainen) out of the play and he landed awkwardly on Scrivey," O'Dell said. "It was obviously a tough break for our team, but Poulin came in and held his own. He played great for us."
"You don't want your team mate to get hurt, but you've got to anticipate," Poulin said. "I came in not expecting to play, but at the same time I've got to be ready to."
Ice Hockey - Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics - Man’s Quarterfinal Match - Canada v Finland - Gangneung Hockey Centre, Gangneung, South Korea - February 21, 2018 - Team Canada celebrates victory. REUTERS/David W Cerny
Several Canadian players were surprised by news that Germany had taken out Sweden, but they said it would not change how they prepare for the next game.
"We're ready for any team, and every team from here going forward is going to be tough," forward Derek Roy said.
Ice Hockey - Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics - Man’s Quarterfinal Match - Canada v Finland - Gangneung Hockey Centre, Gangneung, South Korea - February 21, 2018 - Goalie Mikko Koskinen of Finland looks back after Maxim Noreau of Canada scored. REUTERS/Brian Snyder
(Reporting By Dan Burns; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
Ice Hockey - Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics - Man’s Quarterfinal Match - Canada v Finland - Gangneung Hockey Centre, Gangneung, South Korea - February 21, 2018 - Karl Stollery of Canada in action with Joonas Kemppainen of Finland. REUTERS/David W CernyFILE PHOTO - Feb 18, 2018; Gangneung, South Korea; Canada defenseman Maxim Noreau (56) moves the puck against Korea forward Wonjung Kim (8) in the first period during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre. Mandatory Credit: David E. Klutho-USA TODAY SportsIce Hockey - Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics - Man’s Quarterfinal Match - Canada v Finland - Gangneung Hockey Centre, Gangneung, South Korea - February 21, 2018 - Chris Kelly of Canada in action with Jonas Enlund of Finland. REUTERS/Brian SnyderIce Hockey - Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics - Man’s Quarterfinal Match - Canada v Finland - Gangneung Hockey Centre, Gangneung, South Korea - February 21, 2018 - Goalie Ben Scrivens gets injured as he collides with Eric O'Dell of Canada and Veli-Matti Savinainen of Finland. REUTERS/Ronald Martinez/PoolIce Hockey - Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics - Man’s Quarterfinal Match - Canada v Finland - Gangneung Hockey Centre, Gangneung, South Korea - February 21, 2018 - Goalie Mikko Koskinen of Finland makes a save in action witch Linden Vey of Canada and Mikko Lehtonen of Finland. REUTERS/David W Cerny
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