Canada, Russia reach world hockey final

Halifax, Nova Scotia -- Mike Green's second-period goal Friday turned out to be the decisive score in Canada's 5-4 win over Sweden in the semifinals of the World Hockey Championship.

Canada will take on Russia in the gold medal game Sunday. The Russians blanked Finland in the other semifinal 4-0 behind Evgeni Nabokov's 23 saves.

Green's goal boosted Canada to a 5-3 lead with seven seconds remaining in the second period. Fredrik Warg brought Sweden within one with 5:39 left in regulation but Canada held on in the closing moments, winning three straight
faceoffs in the defensive zone.

Dany Heatley and Ryan Getzlaf each had a goal and assist for Canada.

Russia will get a boost in the title game when Ilya Kovalchuk returns from a one-game suspension, imposed when he received a game misconduct in the quarterfinals against Switzerland.

The Canadians will be looking for their second straight world championship. It will be the Russians' first appearance in the gold medal game since 2002, when they lost a 4-3 decision to Slovakia.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.