With the scores locked at 2-2, Tatar was in the right place at the right time to send the European team through to the best-of-three match series against hosts and favourites Canada.

Sweden’s goalkeeper Henrik Lundqvist had initially denied the Slovakian with his initial effort but Tatar was on hand to deflect home the rebound.

The first clash between Team Europe and the Canadians, the reigning world and Olympic champions, is due to take place on Tuesday (September 27).

Few expected the European side, made up of players not from Sweden, Finland and the Czech Republic, to get this far and Tatar revelled in his team’s success after his dramatic goal.

"I was hoping I’m going to get an opportunity to sway one game and I’m glad it happened today," Tatar said.

"One of the best tournaments in the world, best players in the National Hockey League in one spot and we have a chance to play in the final, it is great.

"The story continues."

Sweden were hoping to get the chance to avenge their defeat to Canada in the gold medal match at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi by reaching the final and they began brightly.

The Olympic silver medallists took the lead early in the second period when Nicklas Backstrom converted the rebound after Anton Strålman’s shot was saved.

Team Europe regrouped and drew level with just over three minutes remaining in the stanza thanks to Slovakian Marián Gáborík before the Europeans turned the contest on its head early in the third period.

Tatar, who would prove the hero later on, backhanded home his own rebound to put Team Europe in front just 12 seconds after the restart.

Sweden then went in search of a way back into the match and it took them until four minutes from the end of regulation time to restore parity as Erik Karlsson’s deflected net sailed into the net, sending the tense affair into an extra period.

It was not to be for the Swedes, however, as Tatar’s goal ended their hopes of progressing to the final at the first World Cup of Hockey to be held for 12 years.