Flyers’ Laughton Scores Goal, Assist In Canada’s Semifinal Victory

Scott Laughton intercepted a Latvia pass, looked up and saw nothing but clean ice ahead of him. He snapped off a shot from his own blue line that slid more than 100 feet into an empty net.

The Flyers forward’s goal with 43 seconds to play clinched Canada’s 4-2 victory in the World Championships semifinals Saturday.

The Canadians will play the winner of the second semifinal between Team USA and Germany. The gold-medal game will be at 1 p.m. (Philadelphia time) Sunday on NHL Network.

The goal was Laughton’s second point of the game. He assisted on Canada’s tying goal by Jack Quinn just 45 seconds into the third period. Latvia, which had won six consecutive games, took a 2-1 lead into the third.

Laughton has two goals and five assists and is a plus-7 in nine tournament games.

Adam Fantilli, the expected second overall pick in next month’s NHL draft, scored what might have been the goal of the tournament with a series of inside-out moves. The likely Anaheim draft pick then snapped a shot to give Canada a 3-2 lead at 8:56 of the third period.

🚨🇨🇦 WHAT A MOVE by Adam Fantilli.😳 #CANLAT #IIHFWorlds @hockeycanada pic.twitter.com/d8YGWhqMWc

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 27, 2023

Check out game highlights.

Canada clinched its fourth consecutive gold medal game and seventh in eight tournaments.

Flyers, In Case You Missed It:

Just say no to a Cole Caufield offer sheet.

Brad Shaw reportedly a candidate for Capitals’ head-coaching job.

Cutter Gauthier leads Team USA to semifinals.

State of the Flyers: Team needs star power and defense.

Around The National Hockey Network:

Vegas Hockey Now: Goalie Adin Hill is 6-2 with a 2.07 goals-against average in the playoffs. His future in Las Vegas could be linked to Robin Lehrer’s recovery from injury

Florida Hockey Now: The Panthers will try to become the second eight-seed to win the Stanley Cup, following the 2012 Los Angeles Kings.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Penguins ownership giving former Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas the weekend to consider the Pittsburgh job.

Chicago Hockey Now: Looking back at the 2021-22 season and what it means to the Blackhawks moving forward.

Detroit Hockey Now: What’s the future of soon-to-be unrestricted free agent goalie Alex Nedeljkovic?

Boston Hockey Now: Can the Bruins afford the leadership and grit of Nick Foligno?

Tonight’s Playoff Game:

Game 5: Stars at Golden Knights, 8, ABC, ESPN+. Golden Knights lead series, 3-1.