Sweden's Jonathan Ericsson cuts a sorry figure as he grimaces on his way to the sin bin. Ericsson is punished for holding and it gives Canada a numerical advantage for the next two minutes. But the reigning champions can not take advantage as the Swedes valiantly defend to keep out their opponents.

Brent Pope
BBC Sport ice hockey commentator

Image source, Getty Images

"Jonathan Toews has been doing this all through his career. He goes for goal and has done it at the Worlds and in the Stanley Cup. He controls the puck well and doesn't give it up cheaply. The first goal will settle Canada, especially as we aren't yet at the end of the first period."

And it gets even better for Mike Babcock! Within seconds of Bergeron hitting the post, defending champions Canada take a precious lead as Jonathan Toews nets his first goal of the Games. What a time to score it.

Canada coach Mike Babcock paces around the technical area , looking rather tense it has to be said, before he watches Patrice Bergeron spank the Swedish post with a thumping effort. Babcock cut his coaching teeth in the UK where he coached Whitley Bay Warriors for a short spell in the late 1980s. From Tyne and Wear to the Winter Olympics gold-medal match.

Image source, PA

Some more reaction from Great Britain's bobsleighers, who produced two highly-credible performances in the four-man final which finished a short time ago.

Great Britain 2 driver Lamin Deen, whose crew finished 19th: "If you told me four years ago that I would be here at the Olympics finishing in the top 20, driving a four man and a two man, I wouldn't have believed you - it's been a long road."

Deen's team-mate Andrew Matthews on the crew's future: "We will see what happens in summer. Hopefully if we get the funding situation, we can move forward and go to the next Games."

Backstrom's enforced absence will certainly have given the Swedes a pre-match headache, but it does not seem to have affected the world champions too much. They have made a solid start against a Canadian side who have not fired on all cylinders in front of goal so far in the tournament.

Ollie Williams
BBC Sport in Sochi

"Sweden are missing Nicklas Backstrom, star centre, who pulled out at the last minute with a migraine. That could make a difference - Sweden are a strong side but Backstrom has been an impressive presence for them throughout this tournament. Sweden have already spent most of the tournament without Henrik Zetterberg, so their forward line is depleted here."

Seth Bennett
BBC Sport ice hockey commentator

"If anyone thought it would be a Canadian walkover, the first few minutes have shown this might not be the case. The hockey gods are smiling on Canada right now after that let off."

After Canada's quick start, it is Sweden who almost draw first blood. Gustav Nyquist thinks he has bagged as his angled shot cannons off the left-hand post and goes behind Canada goalkeeper Carey Price. A scrabbling Price is adamant it did not cross the line, and he is proved right by the in-goal camera.

Just to confirm Russia's position of supremacy in the medal table, following their success in the four-man bobsleigh, with just the ice hockey to be decided. Gold for Canada would be their tenth of the Games.

Canada race out of the starting blocks as Patrice Bergeron looks certain to score, only to be denied by Sweden goalkeeper Henrik Lundqvist. High-tempo opening to this gold-medal match.

Ollie Williams
BBC Sport in Sochi

"Twenty years ago, Canada and Sweden met in the gold-medal game at Lillehammer 1994 - Sweden won in a shootout. This time, Canada are the defending Olympic champions but Sweden have been driven to the final by the performances of goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. Sweden think they are the underdogs - in reality, this is too close to call."

Image source, AP

Here we go then folks. The final sporting action at Sochi 2014 is under way.

The Black Eyed Peas' chart hit 'I Gotta Feeling' - with the lyric 'tonight is going to be a good night' of course - blasts out of the PA system as the players emerge from the locker rooms. Is it going to be a good night at the Bolshoy Ice Arena? You betcha.

If this monstrous match-up hasn't already sent a shiver of excitement through your veins - and frankly you can't be human if it hasn't - then have a quick gander at this BBC Sport video to get you in the mood. Monster hits, stunning strikes - and the odd bit of fisticuffs. This sport has all the drama any sports fan could want.

Sweden and Canada - two of the fancied teams going into the Games - will contest the gold-medal match at the Bolshoy Ice Arena. Sweden are the current world champions, while Canada are defending the Olympic title which they won on home soil (or should that be ice?) in Vancouver four years ago.

Image source, Getty Images

Thanks very much Sam. I'm here to guide you down the final slope of Sochi 2014. We have seen thrills and spills, joy and tears, and - above all - some stunning sport over the past 16 days. Now there is just one gold medal left to win - the men's ice hockey.

With the ice-hockey final between Canada and Sweden about to start, live on BBC Two, we're having a change in the commentary box here at live text HQ. Jonathan Jurejko will be your ice-man.

Amy Williams
2010 Olympic skeleton champion on BBC TV

"I'm so pleased for the boys. I'm elated, I'm buzzing, but at same time they were so close to a medal. That's this sport, though. It's so close. They know they were so close. It's an unbelievable result from them. They have so much ahead of them in the future and we can be nothing but proud of them."

Great Britain 1 driver John Jackson after finishing fifth: "Overall it has been a great race and to only finish 0.11 seconds off the medals is amazing. Just being involved in such a great race makes it enjoyable. I would like to stay on for another year depending on what the Royal Navy and Royal Marines say. But I'm happy to keep working with this boys - the future is bright."