BEIJING — Friday at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing will see Canada’s women’s hockey team begin the knockout round of its tournament, Canadian speedskaters threatening the podium on both the short and long track and a previously unknown Olympic hero back in action.
Here are five things to watch at the Beijing Olympics on Friday, Feb. 11.
Canadian women’s hockey team competing in the quarterfinals
Fresh off their thrilling 4-2 victory over the United States that saw them finish atop Group A with a perfect 4-0 record, the Canadian women’s hockey team begins the knockout round of the Olympic tournament with a quarterfinal matchup with Sweden. Over the span of the group stage, Canada outscored its opponents 33-5. The U.S. will face the Czechs in the Friday's other quarterfinal game.Â
Bloemen looking for redemption in signature event
After a disappointing 10th-place finish in the men’s 5,000 metres, Canadian long-track speedskater Ted-Jan Bloeman will be looking to redeem himself in his signature event on Friday, the 10,000-metre endurance race. Bloeman captured gold and set an Olympic record in the 10,000 four years ago in Pyeongchang. Bloeman will be in tough against rival and current world record holder Nils van der Poel, but he should be extra motivated after fading in the 5,000.
Youngsters carrying Canada's hopes on the short track
After winning bronze in the women’s 500 metres, Canadian short-track star Kim Boutin was expected to be in contention for a second medal in the 1,000 on Friday. The defending silver medallist, however, crashed out in Wednesday's heats. Canada's hopes now rest with Courtney Sarault, 21, and Alyson Charles, 23, to capture another women's short-track medal in the event.
Jones, Gushue both in action on the curling rink
Both of Canada’s men’s and women’s curling teams are competing Friday. Jennifer Jones’ women’s rink will face off against Japan and then, later in the day, Brad Gushue and the Canadian men will square off against Switzerland. Both the men’s and women’s tournaments are early in the round-robin phase of the tournament.
Canadian ski jumpers fly again
Toronto’s Mackenzie Boyd-Clowes provided one of the most pleasant surprises of the Games so far when he managed to travel 101.5 metres and secure a bronze medal for Canada’s mixed ski jumping team. The 30-year-old’s Olympics aren’t over yet, as he, along with mixed team teammate Matthew Soukup, will be competing in the men’s large hill individual qualification round on Friday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 9, 2022.
The Canadian Press
