The latter team earned a tense 2-1 win over Germany in the second semi-final at the Arena Riga.

Canada, who had teetered on the brink of failing to get through the group stage after three opening defeats - including a shattering 5-1 beating by the United States - were never behind after Brandon Pirri opened the scoring for them after two minutes and two seconds of play.

Colin Blackwell equalised after 17 minutes, but Andrew Mangiapane restored the Canadian lead early in the second period, and followed up with a second goal at the start of the third period.

The United States pulled it back to 4-3 through Sasha Chemelevski a couple of minutes later, but victory was secured with Canada’s fourth goal just before the end of normal time from an open-netter by Justin Danforth.

"We love playing the U.S.," Canadian forward Nick Paul told the IIHF.

"Obviously the first game wasn't the outcome we wanted but that put a little fire in our belly.

“Today was a big game and we wanted to come prepared.

“We've come together as a team and playing for one another, and I think that showed tonight."

"It’s been a crazy tournament," said Mangiapane.

"We started 0 and 3 as a team.

"Now we’re playing our best hockey - we’re riding that momentum.

"Got one more game to go."

Finland were 2-0 up within the first period thanks to goals from Iiro Pakarinen and Hannes Bjorninen.

But a tenacious German team that had beaten Switzerland on penalties in the quarter-final after drawing level with a last-minute goal in normal time pulled a goal back halfway through the second period through Matthias Plachta.

But the Finns, who won this event the last time it was held, in Slovakia, held out to move to within one match of defending their title successfully.