TORONTO – Canada exploded for three third-period goals, pushing Russia aside for a spot in the World Cup of Hockey final with a 5-3 victory on Saturday night.
Sergei Bobrovsky held the Canadians in check over the first 40 minutes, but shots by Brad Marchand, Corey Perry and John Tavares eluded his grasp over a 10-minute span in the third.
Marchand also scored the game-tying goal late in the second after Canada fell behind 2-1. Sidney Crosby set up a pair and scored one himself.
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Carey Price made 31 saves for Canada, which will face either Europe or Sweden in a best-of-three final that begins Tuesday night.
Dominant in the preliminary round, the Canadians were far and away the better team again on Saturday and remain the tournament’s heavy favourites. They outshot Russia 47-34, sustaining control of the puck for long, heavy stints in the offensive zone. Only Bobrovsky kept it close for the first two periods.
Crosby did it all to open the scoring for Canada less than 10 minutes into the opening frame.