'IT'S WHAT WE CAME FOR'

TAMPERE, Finland - Gold or bust.

That was the expectation coming into the 2023 IIHF World Championship in Finland and Latvia, and that'll remain the desired outcome rolling out of the tournament, according to Flames defenceman MacKenzie Weegar.

There's only one approach when wearing the Maple Leaf, after all.

"That's the Canadian mentality, right?" Weegar posed. "We want to win gold every year.

"It's always gold every year."

Gold, fortunately, is on the menu after Weegar and Team Canada advanced beyond the semifinal with a nail-biting win against Latvia. Canada trailed 2-1 after 40 minutes before springing three straight goals on Vancouver Canucks goalie prospect Arturs Silovs in the third to punch a date with destiny on Sunday.

A 4-2 final will see Canada play the victor of Saturday's second semifinal between Germany and Matt Coronato's Team USA .

"It's great," said Flames forward Milan Lucic, who has chipped in four points (two goals, two assists) in 10 international twirls for Canada.

"I said it before the tournament ... just came here to play for a gold medal and I think the good thing about our team is we've gotten better and better every game to give ourselves a chance. We enjoy today, and right now, getting a big win in the semis, and then tonight we focus about who our opponent is in a big gold medal match."

Lucic set up the eventual game-winner to pace Canada to victory, finding a streaking Adam Fantilli before the 2023 NHL Draft eligible forward inside-outed a Latvian defender and rifled a shot past Silovs for Canada's first lead of the bout.

Add in an empty-netter from Philadelphia Flyers forward Scott Laughton, and Canada sailed onward through the semis.

The win will give Tyler Toffoli, Canada's captain, a shot at his second gold on the international stage.

"I think everyone's kind of stepped up in their own ways and obviously I've kind of shared some of my experience," said Toffoli, who has five points (two goals, three assists) heading into the golden bout. "For the most part everybody's just enjoying it. We're coming together and finding ways to win."

Toffoli has the midas touch from 2015.

Canada also won in 2016, and is seeking its second first-place finish in three years.

It's why they're here, after all.

This isn't just a little tour through Europe.

"I think it means everything," said Weegar, who has 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in nine games at the tournament. "That was the goal coming over here ... you want the opportunity to play for gold.

"Now that it's finally happening I want to stay in the moment, stay present, not let my emotions get too high."

The Flames trio was always gunning for that coveted Sunday showdown.

And now they've got their chance to set sail into the summer with a better-than-silver lining.

"It's what we came for," Toffoli said. "We didn't come here to waste our time. We came here to win and end our seasons on a high note. Now that we're here we get the opportunity and we have to be prepared for it.

"Being fortunate to win the gold medal before, it was a lot of fun and some great memories.

"It's the goal, whether that's the Stanley Cup or here in the sense of finishing on a high note."