The biggest story at the Beijing Olympics. The top rivalry at the Games. The start of men’s playoff curling — and a wild finish to the women’s round-robin in the same sport.
Day 13 of the Winter Games is, in hockey lingo, a beauty.
Here are five stories to watch:
Editor’s note: All events are Thursday in Eastern Time unless otherwise noted.
CLINCHED ! #TeamCanada #Beijing2022 https://t.co/OdajZfOYQ2
— Team Gushue (@TeamGushue) February 16, 2022
Brad Gushue
Men’s curling, vs. Sweden, 8:05 p.m. (Wednesday), semifinal vs. TBD 7:05 a.m.
The Canadian skip clinched a semifinal spot on Day 12 without throwing a shot. He’ll face either five-time world champion Niklas Edin of Sweden or world No. 1 Bruce Mouat of Great Britain in the semis. Reigning Olympic champ John Shuster of the United States is the front-runner to grab the fourth semfinal spot.
Canadian women’s hockey team
Gold-medal game vs. United States, 11:10 p.m. (Wednesday)
Sure, it’s not ideal that Canada and the United States faced little resistance in advancing to the final. But once the puck drops, that won’t matter. These teams almost always produce thrillers when the stakes are high. Canada beat the Americans in OT in last year’s World Championship final. The Americans beat Canada in a shootout in the 2018 Olympic final. Worth sacrificing some sleep for this one.
Marielle Thompson, Brittany Phelan
Women’s ski cross, seeding at 10:30 p.m. (Wednesday), elimination races from 1-2:30 a.m.
Thompson, from Whistler, B.C., won Olympic gold in this event in 2014. She earned her 25th career World Cup win and 50th career podium this season. Phelan, from Mont-Tremblant, Que., took Olympic silver in 2018.
WOMEN’S PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Here is every playoff scenario.
Official from World Curling.
Wild, absolutely wild. #cbccurl pic.twitter.com/fcxW3Fi0XV
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) February 16, 2022
Jennifer Jones
Women’s curling, vs. Denmark, 1:05 a.m.
It’s not quite a win-and-in scenario, but it’s almost that for Jones. If the Canadian skip loses to Denmark, her Olympics are over. If she wins, six of eight scenarios in other games send her to the semifinals. High drama.
If they are truly worried about the irreparable harm, set her up with proper counseling to deal with the incredibly sad situation she finds herself in and SEND HER HOME. The irreparable harm that will be done is to the entire Olympic Games. She shouldn’t be allowed to compete. https://t.co/6CjoRJ8l0B
— Adam Rippon (@AdamRippon) February 14, 2022
Kamila Valieva
Women’s figure skating free skate, 5 a.m.
The controversy will be off the charts if Valieva does the expected and wins. The 15-year-old Russian phenom leads the way after the short program. She was cleared to compete despite failing a doping test for a heart medication — with results emerging only this month after the test was taken in December. The IOC says it won’t hold a medal ceremony if Valieva is on the podium because a further investigation on the test is coming.
