The first team to make it to the Gold Medal game of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy is Team Canada. St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington and defenseman Colton Parayko aided their home country's team to a comeback victory.
It was one for the ages.
Binnington kept them alive
After allowing two goals over his high-glove side, Binnington did not let the two-goal deficit affect him. He remained composed and anchored in the net to allow his highly talented forward group to try and get past Finland goaltender Juuse Saros.
It took the full sixty minutes to claim the comeback, but Canada got it done. Colorado Avalanche star forward Nathan MacKinnon notched the game-winning goal in the final 30 seconds of the game.
Parayko provided key defense
Despite not getting onto the scoresheet in this tournament, Colton Parayko has been doing all of the other things. He has moved the puck up and down the ice, provided key passes through the neutral zone, and contributed solid defense for his NHL goaltender, Binnington.
He continues to be a solid d-man for the Canadian squad, and his play will be crucial in whoever they play out of the United States and Slovakia.
Canada going for Gold again
Canada is going back to the Gold Medal game for the third straight time in the best-on-best format. They will play the winner of the United States and Slovakia game later today, which includes Blues rising star Dalibor Dvorsky.
All eyes will be on Binnington and how he handles being on the biggest stage. There is no bigger stage than representing your home country against the best teams in the world, and that is why he should be an X-factor in this upcoming game.
In his Olympic debut, much like his NHL debut season, Binnington has a chance to claim a championship. Should he do that, there is no denying that the proper label for him is that he is one of the best goaltenders in NHL history when it comes to clutch games and moments.