Tatar's OT winner lifts Europe into World Cup of Hockey final
Tomas Tatar scored his second goal of the game 3:43 into overtime as Team Europe advanced to the final of the World Cup of Hockey with a 3-2 win over Sweden.
Tatar, of Slovakia, scored on a controversial play on Sunday as the puck appeared to go in off his skate and past a startled Swedish goaltender Henrik Lundqvist at the Air Canada Centre arena.
Team Sweden challenged the call and it went to video review but officials ruled it a good goal.
Team Europe advances to the best-of-three final against undefeated Canada with the first game scheduled for Tuesday in Toronto.
Tournament officials released a statement after the game with an explanation of what the video review showed.
The goal was allowed because Tatar did not intentionally kick the puck past Lundqvist.
"A puck that deflects into the net off an attacking player's skate who does not use a distinct kicking motion is a legitimate goal."
Team Europe was a longshot to get this far in the tournament as they weren't even a team a couple of weeks ago.
They are coached by Canadian-born Ralph Krueger and their roster is made up of a mixture of star players from Europe's eight smaller hockey nations.
Their outlook appeared even bleaker when they were shutout 4-0 by a young Team North America in their first pre-tournament contest.
But eventually pride and skill took over as Europe has won three of their last four games with the only loss coming against Canada.
Tatar also scored just 12 seconds into the third period to give Europe a 2-1 lead.
Sweden's Erik Karlsson tied it with 4:32 left in the third, setting the stage for Tatar's overtime winner.
Marian Gaborik also scored for Europe, while Nicklas Backstrom had a first period goal for Sweden.
Jaroslav Halak, of Slovakia, continued his solid play as he stopped 37 of 39 shots for Team Europe.
Lundqvist made 28 saves for Sweden.