Unheralded Germany dethroned two-time defending champion Canada 4-3 in an Olympic men’s hockey semi-final shocker on Friday, advancing to their first gold-medal game against the Olympic Athletes from Russia.
A German league all-star squad collected the nation’s biggest hockey victory by stunning the Canadians while the Russians, seeking their first hockey gold since 1992, blanked the Czech Republic 3-0 to reach Sunday’s championship contest.
The Germans, familiar with one another from world championship play and coming off over-time playoff triumphs over Sweden and Switzerland, are assured of an Olympic-best result — their only prior medal being bronze in 1932, plus a bronze for West Germany in 1976.
Canada’s nightmare defeat added to the misery of a hockey-mad nation a day after the women’s team, seeking a fifth consecutive gold, lost the final to the United States in a shootout.
The Russians, with players off the nation’s two top clubs, hope to collect their first gold since the Unified Team won 26 years ago at Albertville — just weeks after the breakup of the Soviet Union.
“It would just mean everything to us,” said Russian forward Mikhail Grigorenko. “It’s huge for the players and the country.”
An Olympics without NHL talent for the first time since 1994 lived up to its billing as a wide-open affair as Europe-based talent produced surprises, none bigger than the lineup from a handful of German clubs that has improved with every game.
Germany’s Brooks Macek fired a power-play goal 14:43 into the game past Canada goaltender Kevin Poulin, who started after Ben Scrivens was benched with an injury suffered in a quarter-final victory over Finland.
Matthias Plachta and Frank Mauer followed early in the second period for a 3-0 German lead. Canada answered on Gilbert Brule’s power-play goal but Patrick Hager responded for a 4-1 Germany edge.
Mat Robinson nudged Canada closer with a goal early in the third period and Poulin stopped Dominik Kahun on a penalty shot to swing momentum Canada’s way.
Derek Roy netted a power-play goal to lift Canada within 4-3 with 10:18 remaining, Canadian supporters roaring with delight as the comeback continued.
Canada pulled Poulin for an extra attacker in the final seconds, but could not manage the equaliser despite a 15-1 shots edge in the third period, Canada matching what Germany had in the entire game.
Den Birken made 28 saves in goal for the Germans.
Danny aus den Birken made 28 saves for Germany and when the final horn sounded the bench cleared to mob the netminder in celebration, as the Canadian team and fans watched in silence.
Earlier the Russians, who boast the Olympics’ most prolific attack, got second-period goals 27 seconds apart from Nikita Gusev and Vladislav Gavrikov and a late clincher from Ilya Kovalchuk, while goalie Vasili Koshechkin made 31 saves.
“He has been our best player every game,” Grigorenko said of Koshechkin. “He has been making a lot of saves. He made some huge saves.”
It sets up the first Olympic final involving Russians since they lost 1-0 to the Czechs 20 years ago.
“It’s going to be a good game and a test of our will,” Kovalchuk said. “We deserve to be there and the best team will win. We’ll be ready for sure.”
The previously unbeaten Czechs, who will play Canada for bronze on Saturday, were denied a chance at their first Olympic crown since 1998.
“It’s disappointing. One minute cost us the game,” said Czech star Martin Erat. “They played a good game. A couple of mistakes cost us.”
