Tatar's winner stuns Sweden, sends Europe to World Cup final vs. Canada
Tomas Tatar's overtime winner gave Team Europe a 3-2 victory over Sweden in their World Cup semifinal Sunday, vaulting Europe into the best-of-three final series against Canada.
Tatar's second goal of the game, which deflected in off his skate, was briefly reviewed but ultimately upheld. The winner came 3:43 into the extra frame.
Sweden's Erik Karlsson tied it late in regulation.
Tatar gave Europe a 2-1 lead when he scored his first goal of the contest 12 seconds into the third period.
Nicklas Backstrom opened the scoring after pouncing on a rebound less than three minutes into the game, but Marian Gaborik made it 1-1 when he deflected Christian Ehrhoff's shot late in the second stanza.
Sweden outshot Europe 39-31, including 17-8 in the third. Europe's Jaroslav Halak made 37 saves, while Henrik Lundqvist allowed three goals on 31 shots.
The final series between Canada and Europe begins Tuesday. Game 2 will be played on Thursday, and a winner-take-all Game 3 would take place Saturday if necessary.