After Finland’s victory in a packed Tampere Deck Arena, Canada, who lost twice in qualifying and came from 3-0 down to win their quarter-final against Sweden, hit top form as they overwhelmed Czechia 6-1 to set up a replay of the 2021 world final, which they won 3-2 in overtime.

Finland, whose triumph in Beijing earned them a first Olympic title, set themselves up for another global victory in front of an 11,055 crowd at the Tampere Deck Arena which is staging the last four matches of the tournament.

The United States took the lead shortly after the first minute through Nate Schmidt, but with cries of “Suomi!” ringing around the arena the home team responded to equalise through defenceman Miro Heiskanen with just over three of the first 20 minutes remaining.

Sakari Manninen put Finland in the lead four minutes into the second period.

Within three minutes the United States were level through Sean Farrell but Sami Vatanen restored the hosts’ lead shortly afterwards.

Five minutes into the third and final 20-minute period Joel Armia extended Finland’s lead to 4-2, and while Adam Gaudette pulled a goal back in the final minutes the United States could manage no more.

Since the IIHF adopted the playoff system for the World Championship in 1992, the United States have never appeared in a gold medal game, losing all 11 semi-finals in which they have appeared.

Finland meanwhile are now looking ahead with rising excitement to what will be their third consecutive world final.

Czechia took an early lead in the second semi-final, but Dylan Couzens made it 1-1 with 30 seconds of the first period remaining.

It all happened for the 2021 gold medallists in the second period as they took the lead in the seventh minute through Adam Lowry, and just over a minute later Kent Johnson scored a third.

Halfway through the period Matt Barzal made it 4-1, which was how it stayed until the next break.

Third period goals from Cole Silinger and Couzens again saw Canada comfortably through to tomorrow evening's final.