02/19/26 17:03
Opinion: Canada almost pulled off its elaborate rope-a-dope against the U.S.
- Cathal Kelly
At least Canada were beaten on a great goal, write Cathal Kelly.NATHAN DENETTE/The Canadian Press
It is ridiculous to suggest that one team of professionals could or would rope-a-dope another for an entire year anywhere – except in women’s hockey.
How else would you explain the Canada that played the U.S. a week ago and was absolutely run over, and the one that showed up tonight?
How would you explain how this group that bullied the Americans in the Olympic final, while losing to them 24-7 on aggregate in November’s Rivalry Series?
It only makes sense one way.
This was the grandest game of long-term strategy ever played in sport. Canada was two minutes away from pulling the upset. That it didn’t work doesn’t make the attempt any less epic. It ended, as it must always do with these two teams, in overtime, 2-1 for the U.S.
It’s a disappointment, but not a surprise. A new generation of Canadians will take on this mantle at the next Olympics. We don’t know who they are, but we already know their mission – revenge.
If it’s to have any legacy, tonight’s effort begs a question of all of us. If our hockey team can play a game this long against our biggest rivals and come so close, what are the rest of us capable of in the border skirmishes to come? What’s our excuse for not trying?
02/19/26 17:00
Alysa Liu wins women’s figure-skating gold, ending U.S. drought
Liu placed 1st with a career-high score.Natacha Pisarenko/The Associated Press
American Alysa Liu has won the gold medal in the women’s figure skating event.
Kaori Sakamoto secured silver ahead of Japanese teammate Ami Nakai, who claimed bronze.
- Reuters
02/19/26 16:31
Jacobs, men’s curlers to play for gold
- Rachel Brady
Brad Jacobs of Canada celebrates winning their match against Norway.Jennifer Lorenzini/Reuters
Team Brad Jacobs will play for Olympic Gold in Cortina on Saturday.
The Canadian men’s curling team needed an extra end to beat Norway 5-4 in today’s nervy semifinal at the Winter Games and punch a ticket to the gold medal final.
Bruce Mouat’s Great Britain team now awaits Canada, silver medalists at the 2022 Olympics. Mouat has won two of the last three men’s world curling championships. Team GB beat Switzerland 8-5 in its semi.
Norway and Switzerland will play for bronze on Friday.
Jacobs and his Canadian teammates each have Olympic medals at home, but this is their first time at the Games together.
Ben Hebert and Marc Kennedy won gold at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics as young front end players for skip Kevin Martin. Brett Gallant earned bronze with Brad Gushue’s rink at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. Jacobs brought home gold from Sochi in 2014.
02/19/26 16:26
Cassie Sharpe crashes in women’s halfpipe qualifiers
Canada's Cassie Sharpe crashed during the women's freestyle skiing halfpipe qualifications and left the course on a snowsled.Gregory Bull/The Associated Press
Three Canadian freestyle skiers have qualified for the women’s halfpipe finals in Livigno, including Olympic gold medallist Cassie Sharpe who was taken away by sled after crashing in one of her runs.
Sharpe, of Comox, B.C., fell during her second run and waved to the crowd as she was carried away by medical personnel.
The Canadian Olympic Committee said Sharpe is in stable condition and is being evaluated by medical staff.
The 33-year-old still ranked third overall with 88.25 points in her first run, qualifying her among the top 12 going to Saturday’s finals.
Sharpe won gold in the event at the 2018 PyeongChang Games and silver at Beijing 2022.
- The Canadian Press
02/19/26 16:13
An emotional end to the Ottawa watch party
- Kristy Kirkup
After the Canadians lost to the Americans 2-1 in overtime, it felt like the oxygen was sucked out of the room at the watch party at Ottawa’s Craft Beer Market. Fans in the room went very quiet. Many cleared out of the restaurant quickly, while others sat in silence.
Some fans could be seen shedding tears at their tables.
Dana Hall was visibly emotional and used the Canadian flag that she was holding during the hockey game to wipe away some tears.
One patron put her head down on the table, visibly heartbroken. Another pulled down sunglasses to cover her eyes.
02/19/26 16:07
Students saddened but forward-looking after defeat
- Dave McGinn
Students at a Toronto school react to Canada's nail-biting loss against the U.S. in women's hockey at the Winter Olympics.
Hands clasped over mouths. Hands cupping cheeks. The universal signs of “tell me that did not just happen.”
But it did just happen. The U.S. won in overtime, and the couple of dozen students at Bessborough Drive Elementary and Middle School in Toronto who stuck around to watch the overtime period stood in stunned silence.
Yes, the Canadian team lost, but you have to see this day as a win, said Danica Kattic, 13.
“They played as hard as they could,” she said of Canada’s team. “The result doesn’t really matter. It’s just amazing how our whole school celebrated and I hope they can get a gold next year.”
“The fact that we all showed up and watched this game, it means that women’s sports is growing by each minute,” she added.
02/19/26 15:56
Canada loses 2-1 in overtime heartbreaker
- Grant Robertson
Women's Gold-Medal Game
USA
CAN
Canada lost a heartbreaking gold-medal game 2-1 in overtime to their bitter rivals after the U.S. mounted a late comeback.
The defending champions led 1-0 deep into the third period, before the U.S. tied the game with their goaltender pulled for an extra attacker, sending it to overtime.
About four minutes into overtime, Megan Keller put a shot past Canadian goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens to win the game, causing the American fans in attendance to erupt, as the Canadian bench buried their heads.
02/19/26 15:45
What are the overtime rules in the Olympic hockey final?
- Globe staff
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) recently amended the rules for the Milan Cortina Winter Games, bringing them closer in line with NHL rules.
When the U.S. beat Canada in the women’s final in 2018 at the PyeongChang Winter Games, they did so in a thrilling shootout. That’s no longer possible.
The shootout has been eliminated for the gold-medal game. Instead, teams will play 20-minute, three-on-three, overtime periods, separated by 15-minute intermission, like the Stanley Cup playoffs. It is sudden-death until someone scores a goal.
02/19/26 15:43
Young fans learn the reality of overtime games
- Dave McGinn
“Go Canada go! Go Canada go!” the students in the gym at Bessborough Drive Elementary and Middle School in Toronto were cheering at the top of their lungs as the game approached its last two minutes.
The tension! The excitement! And then, the boos and the sadness and the many thumbs down as the U.S. team scored to tie the game at one apiece.
But the young hearts here would not be defeated.
“Let’s go Canada!” they started yelling.
As regulation ended, a sense of disbelief in the gym.
Students have started tearing down banners. Flags are being folded.
The gym is slowly emptying.
No one has given up hope. But most students will be watching overtime from home.
02/19/26 15:42
Canadian and American fans wait anxiously for tense overtime to start
- Cathal Kelly
Fans cheer at the game.ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP/Getty Images
Generally speaking, the break between periods at a Milan Olympic hockey game is party time. They bring out the mascots. They do singalongs. Up at the Rho arena, they put on a little concert.
Not today. There’s a soundtrack going, but no one’s in the mood for silliness. All the Canadian and American fans are standing, kind of swaying in place. Very few have left their seats to go to the concessions or the bathroom. I think they’re afraid the overtime will start without them.
Fun time’s over. These people want their games instead.
02/19/26 15:39
Ottawa fans keep the faith as they cheer on their Olympic players
-Kristy Kirkup
Fans in Ottawa appear to be growing increasingly impatient as they wait for the Canadian women’s hockey team to secure another goal. When the Canadians get anywhere near the American net, the room cheers loudly. Those in the room audibly groaned when the Americans got the puck in the Canadian net, tying the game at 1-1.
Dana Hall is one of the Canadian fans at the Ottawa watch party. She is a season ticket holder for the Ottawa Charge, and said there is a lot of community spirit and camaraderie among the women’s hockey fans in Ottawa, including those she is watching the game with today.
Tris Sparling, who grew up playing hockey, is a mega-fan of women’s hockey and the Ottawa Charge in particular. She hosts a Facebook group for fans and said there are about 6,500 members. She said that having Ottawa Charge players who are also Olympians underscores the growing number of opportunities in women’s hockey.
“The fact that we have a team, we have Olympians playing in our city, that is so incredible to see for the future of the sport, for the future of women’s athletes.”
02/19/26 15:37
It’s a watch party with Carney
- Arisa Valyear
Prime Minister Mark Carney wears a Poulin jersey at a watch party in Burnaby, B.C.Jennifer Gauthier/Reuters
White Spot restaurant in Burnaby, B.C. is the place to be today if you’re Prime Minister Mark Carney. Clad in Canada’s colours — and sporting a Poulin jersey, no less — it’s all eyes on Team Canada for Carney as he cheers on the women’s national team at the local B.C. watering hole.
02/19/26 15:30
U.S. tie it with up with two minutes on the clock
- Paul Attfield
U.S. captain Hilary Knight scores to send the game to overtime.Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
With barely two minutes left on the clock, United States captain Hilary Knight has tied the score at 1-1 to send the Olympic final to sudden-death overtime.
With American goaltender Aerin Frankel pulled for the extra attacker, the Americans make it count on their 26th shot of the game, with Knight tipping Laila Edwards’s shot past Ann-Renée Desbiens, ending her shutout bid on a shot she had almost no chance of saving.
02/19/26 15:23
With time running out, play is getting more physical
- Paul Attfield
With less than five minutes to play and Canada clinging to its 1-0 lead, the physical play is starting to ramp up. Canadian defender Erin Ambrose was hit into the end boards by Britta Curl-Salemme and was slow to get up.
After a brief review, the penalty remained a two-minute minor for boarding, but sent Canada to the power play for the first time since the first period. But that will suit the Canadians just fine, as they look to run some more time off the clock.
02/19/26 15:12
Third period is a tight affair interjected with tense moments
- Paul Attfield
Given the stakes involved, it’s hardly surprising that the third period has become an extra-cagey affair, with just seven shots combined between the two teams through the first 10 minutes.
Brianne Jenner had arguably the best chance to find the net for Canada. With Blayre Turnbull and Sarah Nurse working the puck to the unmarked winger in the slot barely three minutes after the intermission, Turnbull’s shot could only clatter into the mask of Aerin Frankel.
Ann-Renée Desbiens continues to provide a calm and steady presence for Canada on the back end, as she bids to become the first goaltender to register a shutout in an Olympic gold-medal game since Shannon Szabados 16 years ago in Vancouver.
02/19/26 14:57
Stars come from afar to watch the Canada vs. U.S. hockey showdown
- Arisa Valyear
Sports icons have shown up to watch the gold-medal game in person. Around the arena, Tom Brady, Mikaël Kingsbury and Billie Jean King have been spotted taking in the sights and sounds as Team Canada goes for gold against the U.S.
Retired ice dancer and former Olympic champion Tessa Virtue also posted an Instagram story from the stands today, showing the rink and Jumbotron — and a hot dog and Aperol spritz.
02/19/26 14:48
Ottawa Charge players well-represented on rosters
- Kristy Kirkup
A spirited crowd in Ottawa’s Craft Beer Market lit up, with many taking to their feet to cheer, when the Canadian team secured the first and only goal of the game so far.
One spectator jumped up to wave the Canadian flag after the puck made its way inside the American net, and many fans are sporting red hats or tuques, intensely sitting on the edge of their seats.
As they watch and hope for another goal for Canada, they continue to sip beer and stress snack on nachos and mini burgers.
During the intermission, fans are encouraged to sign a “welcome back” banner for the Ottawa Charge players at the Games, including those on the ice: Brianne Jenner, Emily Clark and Jocelyne Larocque for Canada, and Gwyneth Philips and Rory Guilday for U.S.A.
Also at the Olympics from the Charge are Ronja Savolainen and Sanni Ahola for Finland, and Kateřina Mrázová and head coach Carla MacLeod for Czechia.
02/19/26 14:42
Canada holds slim 1-0 lead after 2nd period
- Paul Attfield
Kristin O'Neill gave Canada a one-goal lead in the second period.-/AFP/Getty Images
With just 20 minutes left to play, Kristin O’Neill’s short-handed goal is the only thing separating Canada and the United States with a gold medal on the line.
The goal, scored just 54 seconds into the period on a breakaway with Ella Shelton in the penalty box for hooking, could prove decisive, with the game otherwise being dominated by the two goaltenders: Ann-Renée Desbiens for Canada and Aerin Frankel for the U.S.
After an outstanding save from Desbiens just before the halfway point of the period, Sarah Fillier had a gilt-edged chance to double Canada’s lead, redirecting a pass from Sophie Jaques, but Frankel was quick to shut the door.
Minutes later, Claire Thompson cut to the net, but Frankel was again equal to it to keep the U.S. firmly in the game, with Canada holding a 21-20 edge in shots-on-goal heading into the final period.
02/19/26 14:25
Canadian hockey legend Mark Messier in the house wearing Poulin jersey
- Arisa Valyear
Six-time Stanley Cup champion Mark Messier arrived at the Santagiulia arena in Milan sporting a familiar name on the back of his Team Canada jersey: Poulin.
In the video, the former Edmonton Oilers captain wears a black baseball cap and gestures enthusiastically to Poulin’s name and number. Yesterday, Messier also attended the Canada vs. Czechia quarterfinal game, showing his support for the men’s national team as well.
02/19/26 14:20
ARD with a big save to keep Canada ahead
- Paul Attfield
Ann-Renée Desbiens stops American Joy Dunne in the 2nd period.Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
For anyone wondering how the United States would respond to falling behind in the first minute of the second period – just the second goal it has conceded all tournament – the Americans wasted little time coming up with an answer.
The U.S. had a golden chance less than five minutes in when Taylor Heise made a no-look pass to Hannah Bilka. But with goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens struggling to get across, Bilka couldn’t keep the puck down and scooped it over the crossbar.
Shortly afterwards, Haley Winn had another top-notch chance to tie the score, but when the puck came to her she was unable to beat Desbiens, who made a spectacular save.
02/19/26 14:16
‘You are our champions’: Boys cheering on women’s hockey can’t stop smiling
- Dave McGinn
Students at Bessborough Drive Elementary and Middle School are loving the gold-medal game.Melissa Tait/The Globe and Mail
“We scored! We scored! Canada scored!” yelled Warren Appleton, a 13-year-old student, as the game came back on too late to have seen the goal but certainly not too late to be excited about.
Before the second period began, a gaggle of boys were eager to share their thoughts.
“I have a lot of emotion for the women and how far they’ve come,” said 12-year-old Daris Fiku.
“I’m happy that the women have this big spotlight,” said 12-year-old Evan Offord.
Tolga Tiryaki, 12, had a huge smile on his face.
“I feel grateful that everyone could unite under one activity,” he said.
Liam Thompson, 13, wearing a red Canada hoodie and a red toque, summed things up best.
“No matter what, winning gold or silver, Canada doesn’t care. You are our champions.”
02/19/26 14:03
O’Neill opens scoring for Canada on short-handed rush
- Paul Attfield
Kristin O'Neill scores a short-handed goal.David W Cerny/Reuters
Despite playing short-handed to open the second period, Canada jumped into the lead with a breakaway strike from Kristin O’Neill, who took a perfect pass from Laura Stacey to beat U.S. goaltender Aerin Frankel for her third goal of the tournament, just 54 seconds in.
The team that scores first has won five of the previous six gold-medal game meetings between these two rivals.
02/19/26 13:52
Unofficial ‘Canada House’ in Milan had lineups for hours before the game
- Robyn Doolittle
Milan's Blue Canal sports bar is packed with Canadian fans during the game.Robyn Doolittle/The Globe and Mail
The unofficial Canada House at the Milan Cortina Olympics – the Blues Canal sports bar – is jammed with (at least) 300 Canadians. They’re in jerseys, scarves, toques and sporting Maple Leaf tattoos. They’re draped in flags. They’re sitting on the floor. They’re lined up outside.
Some people began arriving as early as three hours before the game to lock down a seat. (There’s even a few brave Americans sporting U.S.A. gear.)
The Tragically Hip are playing over the speakers. The only sign that this isn’t a bar back home is that the announcers calling the game are speaking Italian.
02/19/26 13:47
PWHL fanbase for Ottawa Charge showing the love
-Kristy Kirkup
As the first period got under way, Ottawa hockey fans watching at the Craft Beer Market began to loudly chant “go Canada go.” Every time the Canadian team got the puck, there were enthusiastic cheers, and then groans when the U.S. team got access to it.
Jordan Kruz, the general manager of the Ottawa Craft location, said the watch party is a sold-out event. It is being held in partnership with the Ottawa Charge, the PWHL team that plays nearby. Kruz said many fans in the room are regulars who come out to watch hockey. On the atmosphere in the room, he said: “It’s awesome to see.” Ottawa has a pretty strong following for women’s hockey, he added.
02/19/26 13:46
Canada had edge in tight first period but score remains tied at 0-0
- Paul Attfield
Canada's Laura Stacey fights for the puck in front of U.S. goalie Aerin Frankel.JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP/Getty Images
Despite holding the edge in both shots on goal and power-play opportunities, Canada was unable to find a way past Aerin Frankel in the United States net during the first period, with the gold-medal game scoreless after 20 minutes.
In a cagey affair, with both teams playing cautiously, Canada outshot its long-time rival 8-6. The defending Olympic champions had two opportunities to go in front on the power play, as the U.S. got called first for too many players and then Joy Dunne getting whistled for tripping, but they couldn’t cash in.
Canada ended the period on the penalty kill, after Ella Shelton got called for hooking with 14.1 seconds remaining, so the U.S. will being the second period on the power play.
02/19/26 13:39
Two chances for Canada to open scoring turned away
- Paul Attfield
Laura Stacey Caroline Harvey during the 1st period.Hassan Ammar/The Associated Press
Emily Clark and Laura Stacey both had chances to open the scoring for Canada with less than seven minutes remaining in the first period of the gold-medal game.
With shots at a premium in a cagey opening period, Blayre Turnbull found Clark out in front, but the Canadian winger didn’t connect properly, popping the puck into the air. Stacey was on hand connect with the rebound, but Aerin Frankel in the U.S. goal had time to get across and block the opportunity.
02/19/26 13:35
Canada vs. Norway men’s curling semi begins
Brad Jacobs’ Canadian men’s curling rink has begun semifinal play in its bid to reach the podium at the Milan Cortina Games.
Canada is facing a Norway squad skipped by Magnus Ramsfjell that enters the playoffs with a 5-4 record. Jacobs’ team enters the elimination round at 7-2.
Jacobs was the Canadian skip the last time the country won a men’s curling gold medal at the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia.
- The Canadian Press
02/19/26 13:35
Young players thrilled by excitement over women’s hockey game
- Dave McGinn
Whatever the final score is, this game is a monumental one for many of the students in this gym and across the country, as one young hockey player reminded the group assembled here just before the puck dropped.
Standing on the stage and wearing her Leaside Wildcats jersey, 13-year-old Danica Kattic spoke about how incredible it is for everyone here and across Canada to be psyched and cheering for women’s hockey.
“We are so lucky to live in this new era of women in professional sports!” she said.
The crowd went wild.
02/19/26 13:29
Desbiens tested early, off to a good start
- Paul Attfield
Ann-Renée Desbiens saved three shots before her team generated one on the American net.Mike Segar/Reuters
After giving up all five goals in the shutout loss to the United States in the round robin, including two in the first period alone, Canadian goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens will be happy with how her gold-medal game has started.
While the team in front of her struggled to generate anything – going more than four minutes before registering its first shot on goal – Desbiens calmly made three saves to settle her nerves, including standing tall as Abbey Murphy broke into the Canadian zone before testing her with a hard wrist shot.
02/19/26 13:24
In photos: Day 13 of the Winter Olympics
02/19/26 13:16
Why this game might mean more for Hilary Knight and Marie-Philip Poulin
- Grant Robertson
This gold-medal showdown is potentially the last Olympic game for two of the greatest women’s hockey players from each country.
American Hilary Knight has already announced this will be her last Winter Games. Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin hasn’t said she will retire, but at age 34, this may be her final time on Olympic ice.
Poulin has written the words “Her first. Your last. Our best.” in felt pen on her stick. It is a reference to the first-time Olympians on Canada’s roster, and to the ones who will retire after Milan. Poulin hasn’t said specifically if the blurb is also a reference to her intentions.
02/19/26 13:12
To win, Canada has to solve U.S. goalie Frankel
- Grant Robertson
United States' Aerin Frankel warming up before the game.Hassan Ammar/The Associated Press
If Canada’s women’s hockey team is to challenge the United States in this game, they will have to find a way to score.
Canada struggled to find the net against the United States in the preliminary round, being shut out 5-0 in a game where the younger, faster American roster dominated Canada’s veteran squad.
Aerin Frankel, the starting goalie for the U.S., has been historically stingy in Milan.
Coming into the game, Frankel has only let in one goal on 68 shots in her five games at the tournament, giving her a remarkable .985 save percentage.For context, the top two goalies in the PWHL this season have save percentages of .949 and .927.
02/19/26 13:06
Ontario students have their game faces on
- Dave McGinn
Students at Bessborough Drive Elementary and Middle School are watching the game together.Melissa Tait/The Globe and Mail
The students at Bessborough Drive Elementary and Middle School in Toronto are ready for this gold medal game.
Waving flags in the gymnasium and clapping, they are cheering “Ca-na-da! Can-na-da!” 15 minutes before the game is set to begin. Most of the kids are wearing red, and several kids who play hockey are in their jerseys.
A group of girls from the school have no doubt about Canada’s performance this afternoon.
“We got this!” they yell in unison as the gym begins to fill up.
Students across the province will be watching today’s game. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has ordered the Minister of Education to make sure students can watch all team Canada games that happen during school hours.
02/19/26 13:03
In Ottawa, plenty are playing hooky to watch the gold-medal game
- Kristy Kirkup
Dozens of hockey fans have started to gather at the Craft Beer Market in Ottawa to take in the upcoming Canada-U.S. hockey game. Many are sporting red and a big Canadian flag is on display. Some fans also have paper Canadian flags tucked into their ponytails.
The restaurant, located close to where PWHL players in Ottawa hit the ice at Lansdowne Park, is hosting a watch party. And while the game is taking place during the afternoon, avid hockey fans have congregated to cheer on the Canadian women’s team in their bid for the gold. Many have brews in hand and a table of women can be seen clinking their glasses together with big grins.
02/19/26 13:02
Canada vs. U.S. puck about to drop
- Paul Attfield
Marie-Philip Poulin is playing in her fifth Olympic gold-medal game.Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
Can Marie-Philip Poulin do it again?
That is the burning question for all of Canada as today’s Olympic gold-medal game against the United States approaches puck drop. As hockey fans throughout this country know only too well, Poulin has written her name all over this game in Winter Games past, having scored seven goals in the title match, including the gold medal-winning goal in three of the past four Olympics (2010, 2014, 2022).
Earning the nickname Captain Clutch in the process, Poulin has shown her importance to Team Canada in Milan too, returning from an injury in the round robin to score both goals on Tuesday against Switzerland to power Canada into another title showdown with the U.S.
Head coach Troy Ryan has named an unchanged lineup from that game for today, with Natalie Spooner moving up to the fourth-line right wing spot in place of Jenn Gardiner, who will be the 13th forward. Ann-Renée Desbiens will start in goal as Canada looks to flip the script from its round-robin matchup with the U.S., where it lost 5-0.
That was just the fourth time Canada has been beaten by the U.S. at the Olympics, versus the seven wins it has registered on its way to winning five of the seven previous women’s Olympic hockey tournaments.
02/19/26 12:58
Arena begins to fill out as fans take their seats
- Cathal Kelly
With less than twenty minutes to go until puck drop here in the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, both bowls are starting to fill out.
For most of these games, curious Italian fans proliferated. At the Sweden-Switzerland bronze-medal game that preceded this one, there seemed to be a lot of school groups in attendance.
But this is going to be a hockey crowd. Just about everyone is in either a Canadian or American jersey. Thus far, Canadians have the numbers, and by a fair margin.
02/19/26 11:30
Canadian speed skaters denied spot on podium in men’s 1,500m
Daniel Hall competes the men's 1500m speedskating race today.Luca Bruno/The Associated Press
Chinese long-track speedskater Ning Zhongyan has won the men’s 1,500 metre event in a new Olympic-record time, denying American Jordan Stolz a third gold medal at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
Stolz won the silver and Dutch skater Kjeld Nuis took the bronze.
St-Lambert, Que.’s David La Rue finished 15th and Salmon Arm, B.C.’s Daniel Hall came in 23rd.
- The Canadian Press
02/19/26 11:30
Women’s curlers defeat South Korea, advance to semi-finals
- Rachel Brady
Team Homan celebrates their win against South Korea.Issei Kato/Reuters
Rachel Homan’s Canadian rink will play for a medal in the women’s Olympic women’s curling bonspiel.
Canada’s team, which also includes Sarah Wilkes, Emma Miskew and Tracy Fleury, beat Eunji Gim’s South Korea rink 10-7 on the final day of round robin play to book a spot in Friday’s semi-finals.
Today’s victory was the fifth consecutive for Team Homan, after they got out to a 1-3 start.
All members of the Canadian women’s team are seeking their first Olympic medal. This is Homan’s third Olympic appearance and Miskew’s second, while Fleury and Wilkes are first timers at the Winter Games.
Meanwhile in the men’s curling bonspiel, Canada’s Team Brad Jacobs will face the Norwegian rink skipped by Magnus Ramsfjell today in the semi-finals at 1 p.m. ET.
02/19/26 11:02
Athletes elect IOC representatives
Athletes at the Milan Cortina Winter Games elected a South Korean bobsled pilot and an Estonian biathlete today to represent them at the International Olympic Committee.
The eight-year terms for Yunjong Won and Johanna Talihärm will include voting with IOC members to pick a host for the 2036 Summer Games.
Won topped an 11-candidate ballot with 1,176 votes and Talihärm took the second IOC place with 983 votes. The IOC said 2,393 votes were cast, or 83.4 per cent of the eligible athletes at the Winter Games.
- The Associated Press
02/19/26 10:45
Premier Doug Ford encourages students to ‘cheer on Team Canada’ at school
- Globe Staff
Staff and students in schools across Ontario will be watching today’s gold-medal hockey match – and any future school-hour Team Canada hockey games – thanks to a directive from Premier Doug Ford, announced yesterday on the social media platform X.
“To help everyone get in the spirit of the games, I’ve directed the Minister of Education to make sure all Ontario students are able to watch the remaining Team Canada hockey games that take place during school hours, starting with tomorrow’s game,” Mr. Ford wrote.
02/19/26 09:19
Crosby misses Canada’s practice, status for Olympic semifinal unknown
- Grant Robertson
Sidney Crosby of Canada after sustaining an injury during the game against Czech on Wednesday.Marton Monus/Reuters
Sidney Crosby wasn’t on the ice for Team Canada’s practice in Milan today and his status for the semi-final against Finland is unclear, head coach Jon Cooper said.
“Sid is by no means ruled out of the tournament. We’ve got the best of the best looking at him,” Cooper said.
“We’re taking this day by day and we’re not going to put anybody in harm’s way. But if he can play, he’s definitely going to – we’ll know more in 24 hours.”
Canada faces Finland in a must-win semi-final on Friday at the Milan Cortina Olympics. Crosby was injured in the second period of Canada’s overtime win against Czechia in the quarterfinals Wednesday.
02/19/26 09:00
First medals awarded in ski mountaineering
- Eric Reguly
Ski mountaineering medalists celebrate during the women's sprint victory ceremony.Denis Balibouse/Reuters
Ski-mountaineering – or skimo – fans endured heavy, wet snow to watch the event from the grandstand at the base of Stelvio and from the flanks of the racecourse a bit farther up the mountain. Some carried umbrellas. They marveled at the difficulty of the two races today – men’s and women’s sprints - both of them medal events.
“I just love the variation of this sport,” said British spectator Emily Wilson. “You race both uphill and downhill. There are so many elements to watch.”
In today’s six-athlete woman’s sprint, Marianne Fatton, 30, of Switzerland made Olympic history by winning the first medal – gold – in the first skimo race. At the finish, she collapsed in the snow from a combination of exhaustion and joy. Emily Harrop of France, the favourite going into the race, won silver and bronze went to Ana Alonso Rodriguez of Spain.
In the men’s sprint minutes later, Spain’s Oriol Cardona Coll, the favourite, landed gold. A Russian athlete, Nikita Filippov, competing under a neutral flag took, silver (Russian and Belarusian athletes are banned from competing for their countries in the Milan Cortina Games). France’s Thibault Anselmet won bronze.
02/19/26 08:23
Verona prepares for closing ceremony
Alfredo Accatino, creative director of the Olympic closing ceremony, outside the Roman Arena on Tuesday.Antonio Calanni/The Associated Press
A city forever associated with Romeo and Juliet, Verona will host the final act of the Winter Olympics on Sunday inside the ancient Roman Arena, where some 1,500 athletes will celebrate their feats against a backdrop of Italian music and dance.
Acclaimed ballet dancer Roberto Bolle has been rehearsing for the closing ceremony inside the Arena di Verona this week under a veil of secrecy, along with some 350 volunteers, for a spectacle titled “Beauty in Motion,” which frames beauty as something inherently dynamic.
Dressmaker Luciana Donadio works before the closing ceremony.Antonio Calanni/The Associated Press
“Beauty cannot be fixed in time. This ancient monument is beautiful if it is alive, if it continues to change,” said the ceremony’s producer, Alfredo Accatino. “This is what we want to narrate: An Italy that is changing, and also the beauty of movement, the beauty of sport and the beauty of nature.”
Other headlining Italian artists include singer Achille Lauro and DJ Gabry Ponte, whose hits could be heard blasting from the Arena during rehearsals this week.
- The Associated Press
02/19/26 07:38
Who is on the Canadian women’s Olympic hockey roster?
- Paul Attfield
Team Canada celebrates after a semifinal match against Switzerland.Marton Monus/Reuters
As it has been ever since she scored the winning goal in the 2010 gold-medal game, the Canadian women’s team will be headlined by Marie-Philip Poulin. Nicknamed Captain Clutch, after she also scored the clinching goals in 2014 and 2022, Poulin will be looking for her fourth gold medal in her fifth Olympics.
She will be joined by some of the biggest and brightest stars in the Professional Women’s Hockey League, which wasn’t even in existence four years ago when the Beijing Olympics were being held. Many of those players, such as Brianne Jenner and Sarah Fillier, need little introduction, as both were part of the 2022 team that won Olympic gold in Beijing.
And on the back end, Canada will be backstopped by one of the world’s best goaltenders, in Ann-Renée Desbiens, who played for Canada at each of the past two Olympics. She is in fine form too, currently tied for the PWHL lead in wins with nine, and second in both save percentage (.953) and goals-against average (1.15).
Here is Canada’s full women’s hockey roster:
- Forwards: Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Stacey, Sarah Nurse, Natalie Spooner, Emma Maltais, Sarah Fillier, Brianne Jenner, Emily Clark, Blayre Turnbull, Kristin O’Neill, Julia Gosling, Jenn Gardiner and Daryl Watts
- Defence: Sophie Jacques, Jocelyne Larocque, Renata Fast, Erin Ambrose, Claire Thompson, Kati Tabin and Ella Shelton
- Goaltenders: Ann-Renée Desbiens, Emerance Maschmeyer and Kayla Osborne
02/19/26 06:59
Coach Troy Ryan knows a thing or two about an unlikely win
- Jamie Ross
Canada head coach Troy Ryan, top centre, watches a replay during the second period of a women's hockey semifinal match against Switzerland.Carolyn Kaster/The Associated Press
Long before he was an Olympic gold-medal winning hockey coach, Troy Ryan was mucking his way through junior hockey in the Maritimes.
In that era, back in the late nineties and early 2000s, line brawls, sucker punches and suspensions were commonplace. It was not unusual for a head coach to tap one of his players on the shoulder and nod toward an opponent with an obvious implication.
“There could be books written about it,” said Ryan, the head coach of Canada’s women’s Olympic team. “It was crazy.”
Beyond running hockey operations on and off the ice, Ryan was ripping tickets and selling sponsorships. Being a GM and coach of a Maritime Jr. A Hockey League (MJAHL) team in those days meant doing it all.
Now on the doorstep of an Olympic gold-medal game for the second time as a head coach, Ryan, who comes from Spryfield, N.S., on the outskirts of Halifax, can’t help but smirk when he thinks about how far he’s come: From managing rosters made up of no-hopers and goons to one that is laden with Ivy Leaguers and pros.
02/19/26 06:33
‘Skimo’ kicks off in heavy snow
In heavy snowfall, the sport of ski mountaineering made its long-awaited Olympic debut today with the men’s and women’s sprint events.
A perfectly fitting backdrop for a niche Alpine sport that goes by “skimo” and combines racing uphill on skis with a downhill sprint to the finish line.
This particular gold medal carries a lot of weight given the stakes. They all want that coveted title of “first-ever” to earn one in their sport.
It’s going to take enduring three rounds that last about three or so lung-searing minutes each (a little less on the men’s side). The leaders after the opening heats were all the favorites — Emily Harrop of France and Marianne Fatton of Switzerland on the women’s side, Oriol Cardona Coll of Spain in the men’s race. The semifinal and final are set for later today.
- The Associated Press
02/19/26 06:15
Weather affects Olympic schedule
The weather continues to wreak havoc with the Olympic schedule in Livigno.
Men’s freestyle skiing aerials qualifying, originally scheduled for Tuesday and then pushed back to Thursday, as well as the final, will now both take place on Friday at the Livigno Aerials and Moguls Park.
The men’s halfpipe qualifying has been rescheduled from Thursday to Friday morning, ahead of the originally scheduled final Friday afternoon.
- The Canadian Press
02/19/26 06:09
With the Games drawing to a close, it’s time for hijinks
- Cathal Kelly
After you’ve done a couple of them, you begin to see the great pattern that forms an Olympics.
There is the initial wave of excitement. There is the initial, always baroque, always bizarre, scandal. And then, near the end, there’s the drunken hijinks.
You can’t have drunken hijinks at the beginning. It would be unseemly. But in the final days? Absolutely fine. Completely understandable.
This time around, the winning ticket was pulled by Australian TV presenter Danika Mason. She did a live hit from the mountains wherein she slurred her way through a word jumble about the price of coffee and iguanas.
My professional medical diagnosis - somewhere well north of tipsy, but I’d still trust her to watch my purse.
Australians being Australians, they loved it.
02/19/26 06:03
Men’s curlers to face Norway in semifinals
- Rachel Brady
Canada's Brad Jacobs in the men's curling round-robin match against Norway.Fatima Shbair/The Associated Press
Team Brad Jacobs will face the Norwegian team skipped by Magnus Ramsfjell today in the semifinals of the Olympic men’s curling bonspiel at Milan Cortina.
It will be the second meeting between Canada (7-2) and Norway (5-4) in the same day.
The two teams squared off this morning in the final game of round robin action in Cortina. While Canada had already secured its playoff spot, Norway’s 8-6 victory in that one catapulted them into today’s semifinals in Italy at 1 p.m. ET.
Switzerland (9-0) will face Great Britain (5-4) in the other semi. The two semifinal winners will play for gold on Saturday, while the losers will meet Friday for bronze.
Czechia, China, Germany, the U.S, host nation Italy and the 2022 Olympic gold medalists from Sweden are eliminated.
Over in the women’s Olympic bonspiel, Canada’s Team Rachel Homan must win their final round robin game this morning (8 a.m. ET) to make Friday’s women’s semifinals in Cortina. They will face Republic of Korea in a battle of two 5-3 teams who need the victory to advance.
02/19/26 05:26
Three things to watch from the Winter Olympics today
Marie-Philip Poulin skates in the third period during the semifinal between Canada and Switzerland.Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
Canada’s underdog women’s hockey team goes for gold against the U.S.— here are three things to watch today at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
Underdogs on ice
Canada will vie for women’s hockey gold for the eighth Games in a row today. The team will face off against its longtime U.S. rival, which has played against Canada in every Olympic final save one going back to 1998.
Long track, long shot?
Canada will feature two Olympic newcomers for the men’s 1,500-metre long-track speedskating showdown. Daniel Hall of Salmon Arm, B.C., and David La Rue of Saint-Lambert, Que., are poised to push off in a field with more prominent skaters, including American Jordan Stolz and reigning Dutch champion Kjeld Nuis.
A star is born?
All eyes will be on Alysa Liu as she tries to end a 24-year U.S. drought in women’s figure skating. No American has won Olympic gold since Sarah Hughes in 2002.
- The Canadian Press
02/19/26 05:00
What time is the Canada vs. U.S. women’s hockey gold-medal game?
- Globe Staff
The defending Olympic champions will face off with their arch rivals for the women’s hockey gold medal at 1:10 p.m. ET. This is the eighth time in a row Canada has played for the women’s hockey gold at the Olympics.
Switzerland and Sweden are playing for the bronze medal just before at 8:40 a.m. ET.
02/19/26 05:00
Today’s Olympic schedule and event start times
- Globe staff
It’s a big day for Canada as the defending Olympic women’s hockey champions face-off against arch rivals the United States for gold.
Elsewhere in Milan, speed skaters Daniel Hall and David La Rue are aiming for the podium in men’s 1,500m, and on the ice in Cortina, the men’s curling team will play its first semifinal match.
Here are the events to watch for, and you can find the full schedule here.
- 3:05 a.m. ET - Canada vs. Norway men’s curling round-robin
- Time to be confirmed - Freestyle skiing men’s halfpipe qualification (Dylan Marineau among Canadians)
- From 4:30 a.m. ET - Freestyle skiing men’s aerials qualification (Miha Fontaine among Canadians)
- 8:05 a.m. ET - Canada vs. South Korea women’s curling round-robin
- 1:05 p.m. ET - Curling men’s semifinal (Canada vs. TBD)
- 1:30 p.m. ET - Freestyle skiing women’s halfpipe qualification (Rachael Karker and Cassie Sharpe among Canadians)
Medal events:
- 7:55 a.m. ET - Ski mountaineering women’s sprint
- 8 a.m. ET - Cross-country Nordic combined men’s team sprint
- 8:40 a.m. ET - Sweden vs. Switzerland women’s hockey bronze-medal game
- 8:15 a.m. ET - Ski mountaineering men’s sprint
- Rescheduled - Freestyle skiing men’s aerials
- 10:30 a.m. ET - Speed skating men’s 1,500m (Canada’s Daniel Hall and David La Rue)
- 1 p.m. ET - Figure skating women’s free program
- 1:10 p.m. ET - Canada vs. United States women’s hockey gold-medal game
02/19/26 05:00
Where to watch the Olympics in Canada
- Globe staff
CBC is Canada’s official Olympic broadcaster. The 2026 Winter Games are be available to watch on CBC through your TV provider, or to stream for free on the CBC Gem app or at CBCGem.ca.
You can also follow The Globe and Mail’s live coverage of all the latest news and analysis of the Games, on our website or mobile app.
02/19/26 05:00
Your guide to the 2026 Winter Olympics
- Globe staff
A spectator wears Olympic ring glasses at Milano Ice Skating Arena.Elsa/Getty Images
The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are nearing their end and have made history in more ways than one, as Team Canada and the world’s best athletes continue to compete in northern Italy.
From hockey to figure skating and the debut of ski mountaineering, the competition has been nothing short of thrilling. But at the most geographically widespread edition of the Winter Games ever, international tensions – particularly toward the United States – is also be on full display.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Games.
02/19/26 05:00
Ask us your Olympics questions
- Globe staff
From how Canada is doing so far to what the energy is like in Italy, tell the The Globe’s Olympics team what you want to know about the Games. We’ll do our best to answer them.