BEIJING (Reuters) - Finland reached their first men’s Olympic ice hockey final in 16 years after a 2-0 victory over Slovakia.
Sakari Manninen scored the opener in the first period for Finland, who have never won the gold medal.
Harri Pesonen scored into an empty net to seal the win late on after Slovakia netminder Patrik Rybar joined their attack in search for an equaliser.
They will face the Russian Olympic Committee, the defending champions, or Sweden in Sunday’s gold medal match.
The Finns had beaten Slovakia 6-2 in their tournament opener but this was a much closer affair, with Manninen’s opener one of a few scoring chances in the opening period.
The rest of game was then dominated by the two net minders, with Slovakia’s Rybar making 25 saves, while Harri Sateri made 28 to earn the shutout for Finland.
While they have never claimed Olympic gold, Finland - the number two-ranked team in the world - have claimed a medal in three of the past four Games, including silver in Turin in 2006.
Canadawon bronze in the men’s curling after a 8-5 victory over the USA, the defending champions.
A tight and tense contest turned in the ninth end when U.S. skip John Shuster gave up a steal of two, which opened up a three-point deficit they were unable to recover from.
Victory avenges Canada’s defeat by the US in the semi-finals in Pyeongchang four years ago, which ended the Canadians’ run of three successive golds in this event.
The bronze will be Canada’s only curling medal at the Beijing Games after their women’s and mixed doubles teams did not make the playoffs.
Great Britain, who beat the USA in the semi-final on Thursday, play Sweden in the men’s gold medal match on Saturday.