Helsinki, Finland (My Sportsbook) - Canada skated away from the Czech Republic in the third period of Friday's hockey World Championship semifinal, scoring five goals in the final stanza to down the Czechs 8-4.

Two goals by Atlanta Thrasher Dany Heatley, and single tallies by Chicago Blackhawk Kyle Calder, Edmonton Oiler Shawn Horcoff and Detroit Red Wing Mathieu Dandenault in the third paced Canada to the win. Heatley notched a hat trick with the final goal of the contest, with less than two minutes remaining in the game, giving him 10 points for the tournament.

Canada faces the winner of the semifinal between Slovakia and Sweden in the gold medal match on Sunday. The Czechs will face the loser for the Bronze.

Phoenix Coyote Shane Doan, Heatley, and Florida Panther Jay Bouwmeester scored the first three goals of the contest on just eight shots through the middle of the second period, chasing Nashville Predators goaltender Tomas Vokoun in favor of Roman Malek.

The Czech Republic battled back from the 3-0 deficit, tying the game on a pair of second period goals by the Toronto Maple Leafs' Robert Reichel and an early third period tally by the NHL's leading regular season goal scorer, Milan Hedjuk of the Colorado Avalanche.

Canada's starting netminder, Sean Burke of the Coyotes, suffered what was described as a "lower body injury," in the second period and was forced to leave the game. Panthers goaltender Roberto Luongo entered in relief, giving up all four Czech goals. Burke's status for the final is unknown.

Radek Duda scored the fourth goal for the Czechs, which brought the score to 6-4 with less than three minutes to play in the third.

Canada avenged a 2-1 semifinal loss to the Czechs from the 2000 world championship, which was the last time the Canadians had played in a world championship semifinal before today's matchup. Canada has not taken home a medal in the worlds since 1997.

The teams brought identical 6-0-1 tournament records into today's semifinal.