Team USA and Alysa Liu win gold in women's hockey and figure skating

In the quarterfinals of the men’s hockey tournament, three of the four games went to overtime. The semifinals should be appointment viewing. Are the U.S. and Canada on a collision course for the gold medal game? Or can Finland or Slovakia pull off upsets? Tune in to find out.

All times are in Eastern, and an asterisk signifies a medal event:

4:30 a.m.: Freestyle skiing, men’s aerials qualification 1

4:30 a.m.: Freestyle skiing, men’s freeski halfpipe qualification 1

5:15 a.m.: Freestyle skiing, men’s aerials qualification 2

5:27 a.m.: Freestyle skiing, men’s freeski halfpipe qualification 2

6 a.m.: Freestyle skiing, women’s ski cross 1/8 finals

Watch the full overtime period of Team USA’s gold medal win in women’s hockey over Canada.

Caroline Harvey’s nine points were tied for the most of anyone in the Olympics and a huge reason she won the tournament MVP award. Relive Team USA’s best moments here.

When Alysa Liu retired from figure skating in 2022, it was to experience some of the simple things in life. Drive her siblings to school, take a vacation, hang out instead of practicing. Be a normal person.

Today, she showed what makes her special.

Liu won gold in the women’s single skating event, becoming the first American woman to medal since 2006 and the first to win gold since 2002. What makes Liu’s win extra rewarding is not simply that she finished on the top of the podium, but that she did so after she took control of her career when she returned to the sport two years ago.

“Being able to do it my way on the big stage like this has been my dream,” Liu told NBC News with her gold medal hanging from her neck. “And I got to do it in my tour. I got to do it in the team event, and I got to do it tonight for the free skate, and I’m going to do it again for the Olympic Gala. I’m just, like, over the moon. I’m the luckiest girl ever. And I’m really grateful.”

Read the full story here.

Playing in a gold medal Olympic hockey game comes with a unique amount of pressure. But Hilary Knight, whose goal tied the game with Canada late in the third period, said she was actually more nervous to propose this week to her girlfriend, speedskater Brittany Bowe, than to play today.

This was, after all, Knight's fifth time in a gold medal game. While she was proposing, her "legs felt like Jell-O," she said.

"I was a little naive to just throw the video up on social and throw the video up before practice," Knight said. Teammate Megan Keller said Knight did not tell the rest of the team she was planning to propose.

“I don’t know what I was thinking,” Knight said.

When teammates found out, they began playing Bruno Mars' song "Marry You."

American speedskater Jordan Stolz battled his way to silver in the 1,500 meters, claiming his third medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Amber Glenn didn’t expect to be in medal contention after a disappointing short program this week at the Olympics. She entered today's figure skating single competition in 13th place with a lot of ground to make up against the best figure skaters in the world.

But after an exhilarating free skate performance resulted in a 147.52 score — the third-best on the night — she hung on to the top of the leaderboard till the final handful of skaters knocked her off the podium, finishing in fifth place.

Glenn said she was happy to provide fans, and herself, with bounce-back routine at the Milan Cortina Games.

Read the full story here.

Donna Summer’s cover of "MacArthur Park" offers a story of a woman who found freedom after having hit a breaking point, and few songs could better encapsulate Alysa Liu's journey to the top of the podium.

The beginning of the song sets a somber tone as Summer sings of a cake that was ruined after it was left out in the rain. And she doesn't think she can take it, "’cause it took so long to bake it, and I’ll never have that recipe again," Summer sings.

But then the mood turns suddenly as the tempo picks up and the instruments crest into a joyful rhythm, and Summer finds a freedom in her lyrics. She tells listeners that she will take her life into her own hands.

"I will have the things that I desire, and my passion flow like rivers from the sky," Summer sings.

Liu says that she loves to tell a story on the ice, and her medal-winning free skate was nothing if not a perfect symbol of her own life. She put up her blades at 16 because, she has said, she lacked connection and control in her own life.

There are five members of Team USA competing at the Olympics who are over 40. Two of them have won medals at the Milan Cortina Games: 40-year-old Kaillie Humphries and 41-year-old Elana Meyers Taylor. NBC News’ Molly Hunter reports.

The Olympians proving age is just a number

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Knight, the U.S. captain, scored the game-tying, overtime-forcing goal for the United States that eventually led to a 2-1 win in the gold medal hockey game against Canada.

With the goal, Knight became the U.S. women's record holder for Olympic goals scored — and it came only two days after she got engaged to Brittany Bowe, the U.S. Olympic speedskater.

Knight was asked whether this was the best week of her life.

"I would say so," Knight said.

Despite a devastating mistake in the short program Tuesday, American Amber Glenn found some vindication with her beautiful free skate today.

Glenn, 26, walked into today’s event in 13th place, but a nearly flawless program took her to fifth by the end of the day. She was only 4.25 points away from the bronze medal score, bolstered by a triple axel jump that only one other skater attempted.

She thought it could be possible for her to win a medal today, but she is so proud of her teammate Alysa Liu.

“Like, oh my gosh, a silly little mistake cost me,” Glenn said. “But I, overall, am just so happy.”

As Liu walked down a back hallway, being guided to the ice for the medal ceremony, cameras caught her reflecting on her performance.

“I just, like, can’t process this," she said. "There’s no way. I really liked my skate a lot.”

Team USA's Alysa Liu wins figure skating gold, bringing home the first medal in this event for the U.S. since 2006, when Sasha Cohen won silver. It's the first gold medal for the U.S. since 2002.

Japan’s Ami Nakai, one of two skaters today with a triple axel, wins bronze in the women’s individual figure skating program. Kaori Sakamoto takes home silver.

Nakai landed her opening triple axel, the most difficult triple jump in the sport. She and American skater Amber Glenn were the only two skaters to attempt it. But she did just a double toe loop instead of a triple on her triple lutz, triple toe loop combination — a costly error.

Glenn hugged Liu after Nakai's score guaranteed Team USA the gold, telling her, "I'm so proud of you."

Alysa Liu of Team USA with her team in the kiss-and-cry zone after competing in women's single skating free skating. Matthew Stockman / Getty Images

... Which means Alysa Liu is in first place with one skater left.

Amber Glenn is no longer on the podium, however, falling to fourth after a long run in the top three.

Sakamoto soared through a stunning free skate. But she had a tough landing on a triple flip jump toward the end of the program and missed the planned triple toe loop combination.

Still, it's a beautiful finish to her skating career — Sakamoto, who took bronze four years ago, is retiring after this season.

Japan's Kaori Sakamoto competes in the figure skating women's single free skating final. Gabriel Bouys / AFP - Getty Images

Alysa Liu absolutely nailed her long program.

She landed all of her jumps beautifully and delivered gorgeous spins. And Liu was all smiles through a high-energy choreographic sequence. It's an incredible comeback for a skater who retired from the sport after the Beijing Games — and now has a shot at Olympic gold.

Alysa Liu of the United States competes in women's single skating free skating. Elsa / Getty Images

We are witnessing greatness, folks!

Alysa Liu is in first place after an electric free skate that drew the loudest cheers of the night. Liu scored a 150.20 in the free, the best score of the night so far. Her total score is 226.79. She has a 8.91-point lead over Mone Chiba of Japan for gold with two skaters to go.

As Liu walked off the ice, her message to the camera was succinct: "That’s what I'm f---ing talking about."

Liu will win a medal no matter how the final two skaters go and become the first American woman to do so since 2006.

Alysa Liu reacts after competing in the women's single skating free skating. Elsa / Getty Images

It was an impressive run for Amber Glenn, who jumped from 13th to first after an incredibly strong free skate tonight. But she’s finally been dethroned from the leader chair by Japan’s Mone Chiba, who finished with a free skate score of 143.88 and a total score of 217.88.

Glenn is in second with three skaters to go.

Mone Chiba of Team Japan competes in women's single skating free skating. Elsa / Getty Images

The game-winning goal in the women's hockey gold medal game.

Megan Keller of the U.S. scores the game-winning goal in overtime against Canada to win the gold medal. Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images

Skating under the Individual Neutral Athletes designation, Adeliia Petrosian — who entered tonight in fifth place — scored a 141.64 in her free skate, a season best. Petrosian moves up to second place ... and that means American skater Amber Glenn is still in first.

Levito scored a 131.96 in the free skate, for a total of 202.80. She is out of medal contention. Here are her comments after:

Seconds before Megan Keller's golden goal, defender Laila Edwards saved Team USA's bacon.

Canada's 2-on-1 down low could have spelled curtains for America had Edwards not deflected Renata Fast's pass headed to Emma Maltias, who was cutting toward the U.S. net.

Then, a little more than 30 seconds later, Keller scored what'll go down as one of the most dramatic goals in American hockey history.

Edwards also played a key role in Hilary Knight's equalizer at the end of regulation. She kept her shot from the blue line on the ice, allowing Knight's score-tying deflection.

As time in the third period ticked away, with the USA trailing Canada 1-0, “we just knew that we needed to put one good shot on net,” Team USA captain Hilary Knight said afterward.

The shot came with just more than two minutes left in regulation. Laila Edwards launched the puck toward the net, as Knight positioned herself in front of the Canadian goalie and deflected it in.

That goal made Knight the all-time scoring leader in USA Olympic women's hockey history. In an interview with NBC after the game, Knight said, "I’m just happy to have a gold medal. Oh, my gosh, this feels amazing.”

She acknowledged that the USA didn't have the best start.

Hilary Knight #21 of Team United States attempts a shot in the overtime during the Women's Gold Medal match. Bruce Bennett / Getty Images

“We definitely had to will something," Knight said. "We came out a little slow in the first, started to pick up momentum in the second. The third, when you have a one-goal deficit against Canada, a great team, you have to find the back of the net, especially against a great goaltender. We knew it was a matter of time, just leaning on them, slowly, slowly. But you can also run out of time against a great team. Fortunate that we have an amazing squad to be able to get the job done.”

Asked whether that would be her final Olympic goal, Knight said, "We'll see."

The 2012 silver medalist is in the house tonight, and she spoke with NBC News about competing in the spotlight, her Olympic memories and more.

We’re down to our final group of skaters, which will include American Alysa Liu, who entered tonight in third place. She will skate third to last.

The U.S. has won its third gold medal in Olympic women's hockey history after Megan Keller scored in overtime on an assist by Taylor Heise.

USA's players celebrate during the Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games today. Alexander Nemenov / AFP - Getty Images

The U.S., clinging to life for 57 minutes while trailing Canada 1-0, stunningly storms back to win.

We’re through the top 18 skaters. Here’s where we stand at the top of the leaderboard: 

• Amber Glenn, United States: 214.91
• Niina Petrokina, Estonia: 210.82
• Haein Lee, South Korea: 210.56
• Sofia Samodelkina, Kazakhstan: 207.46
• Jia Shin, South Korea: 206.68
• Isabeau Levito, USA: 202.80

American Isabeau Levito is currently in sixth place after a costly mistake at the beginning of her free skate in her Olympic debut.

Levito, 18, fell on her opening jump, a triple flip. But she landed the rest of her jumps and wowed with graceful spins and beautiful lines.

She scored 131.96 in the free skate for a total score of 202.80.

Isabeau Levito fell on her first jump but rebounded with a really solid routine. Combined with her short program, she has a total score of 202.80, good for sixth place at the moment. 

USA's Isabeau Levito competes in the figure skating women's single free skating final. Gabriel Bouys / AFP - Getty Images

The U.S. skating star was in the top 10 of the short program. How will she do in free skate? We'll find out momentarily.

The USA and Canada will play a sudden-death, 3-on-3, 20-minute overtime period, and if there's still no score, they will play another.

With that late-tying goal, Hilary Knight became the all-time leading scorer in U.S. women’s hockey history. It was her 15th career goal.

Read the full story here.

Hilary Knight of Team USA during the women's ice hockey final game against Canada today. Carl Sandin / BILDBYRÅN via Reuters

Hilary Knight's game-tying goal with about two minutes left in regulation has given the U.S. new life as it enters overtime against Canada, 1-1, in the women's hockey gold medal game.

We have a 15-minute break in play before overtime begins. It will be fascinating to see how each team emerges from the break.

With less than three minutes left in regulation, U.S. captain Hilary Knight deflected a shot in front of the Canadian goal to tie this game, 1-1, in a stunning breakthrough for a U.S. team that had struggled to generate offense for 57 minutes. Laila Edwards took the initial shot and got an assist.

Knight is now the all-time U.S. leading scorer in Olympic play, as well.

Team USA successfully killed the Canada power play. Now the U.S. has less than four minutes in regulation to tie this game.

A hit by Britta Curl of the U.S. sent a Canadian player flying into the boards and earned the U.S. a minor two-minute penalty that leaves Team USA a player down with only six minutes to play in the third period.

The U.S. still trails, 1-0.

Amber Glenn spoke with NBC Sports following her free skate, saying, “I made myself be happy about my performance.”

She added: “I know I could have done better, but I stayed on my feet at the Olympics and I am proud of that.”

As for how Glenn was able to recover following her tough outing Tuesday, she said: “That 6-year-old girl that never thought I could be here … I just told myself to go out there and do my job.”

Oh, Canada had a golden opportunity to add to its lead, skating down the ice with three players on the attack while two Americans tried to defend, but the U.S. held firm and didn't allow a goal.

There is a tense atmosphere inside this arena as the third period begins in the women's hockey gold medal game. The U.S. is trying to overcome a 1-0 deficit and its longest scoreless drought of the tournament. Just 20 minutes remain in regulation.

Though Amber Glenn is unlikely to medal, she is — as Denzel Washington would say — leaving Milan with something.

“I’m at the Olympics. I didn’t fall. I didn’t fall at the Olympics,” Glenn could be overheard saying on the NBC broadcast, talking to her team after her free skate today.

After an invalid element Tuesday and catching herself after a triple loop tonight, Glenn wasn’t perfect, but she certainly competed with honor. She’s rightfully proud after a fantastic free skate.

Amber Glenn of Team United States reacts after competing in women's single skating free skating. Elsa / Getty Images

Amber Glenn put together an almost flawless free skate in her return to the ice and received rave reviews from the crowd, who cheered her on vociferously after every jump.

Glenn nailed her opening triple axel, the most difficult triple jump and one only two women planned to do. She also landed several other jumps, though she put her hand down on the ice on her final jump, a triple loop.

Amber Glenn reacts after competing in the figure skating women's single free skating final today. Gabriel Bouys / AFP - Getty Images

Glenn scored a 147.52, her season-best in the free skate and putting her in first place for now.

After Glenn finished her short program in tears, she threw a huge fist pump and appeared to say “so close” after her final competitive skate of the Olympics. It’s likely a bittersweet moment for Glenn, who could have been in medal contention after her free skate if not for Tuesday.

We’re through the top 12 skaters. Here’s where we stand at the top of the leaderboard: 

• Amber Glenn, United States: 214.91
• Jia Shin, South Korea: 206.68
• Lara Naki Gutmann, Italy: 195.75
• Iida Karhunen, Finland: 192.79
• Julia Sauter, Romania: 190.93
• Olga Mikutina, Austria: 185.59

After struggling in the short program Tuesday, Amber Glenn is about to perform her free skate. She entered tonight in 13th place.

After 40 minutes, Canada leads the women's hockey gold medal game, 1-0, with the U.S. still struggling to find the offense it used to crush its first six opponents of these Olympics.

The U.S. has looked less sure of itself, while Canada has been able to manufacture opportunities both on offense and on defense. The final period begins in 16 minutes.

Britta Curl and Aerin Frankel of Team USA during the second period of the women's gold medal match against Canada on Thursday. David W Cerny / Pool via Getty Images

The U.S. has pulled ahead of Canada in shots on goal, 16-14, but only a handful of U.S. shots have come close to leading to goals as Canada's defense has put up a brick wall tonight. The best looks for the U.S. have come off deflections that have come oh-so-close to the net.

The USA is still trailing Canada in the women's hockey gold medal game. The shots are about even (U.S. 12, Canada 11). The USA has had a few good chances this period, too. The only difference so far has been Canada's shorthanded goal early in the second.

We’re onto our second group of skaters, and "Blade Angel" Amber Glenn will go sixth as part of this pack. On the ice right now is Italy’s Lara Naki Gutmann.

Despite being a player down because of a U.S. power play, Canada got a breakaway and used beautiful passing on a two-on-one advantage to take a 1-0 lead. Kristin O'Neill scores, assisted by Laura Stacey.

It's the first goal allowed by the U.S. in 352 minutes.

Kristin O'Neill of Team Canada scores in the second period today. Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images

We are through the first group of six in women’s single skaters. Here are the total scores so far: 

• Ruiyang Zhang, China: 178.03
• Ekaterina Kurakova, Poland: 173.37
• Livia Kaiser, Switzerland: 171.52
• Lorine Schild, France: 167.08
• Kimmy Repond, Switzerland: 159.54
• Mariia Seniuk, Israel: 152.61

U.S. star Amber Glenn is in the next group.

The United States begins the second period of this 0-0 game with 1:46 remaining on a power play. This has been the period in which the U.S. has dominated during these Olympics.

Also at this game are 1980 "Miracle on Ice" Team USA star Mike Eruzione and NHL star Mark Messier. NBC late-night host Seth Meyers is in the Santagiulia Arena, as well.

Brady also took in an AC Milan match Wednesday, and he was pictured with longtime soccer star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who during his career played for both of the city's storied soccer clubs, AC Milan and Inter.

The most striking aspect of the 0-0 first period between the U.S. and Canadian women was how Canada took more shots, 8-6. The U.S. entered this game taking 254 shots to opponents' 95. Yet, Canada did an exquisite job keeping the pressure on the U.S. and maintaining possession throughout the first 20 minutes.

Laura Stacey of Canada fights for the puck with Caroline Harvey of Team USA during the first period of the women's gold medal ice hockey match today. Julien de Rosa / AFP via Getty Images

Here’s when the Americans are scheduled to skate in the figure skating final, all times Eastern:

• Amber Glenn: 2:42 p.m.
• Isabeau Levito: 3:44 p.m.
• Alysa Liu: 4:32 p.m.

The U.S. was down a player about five minutes into the first period when it had too many players on the ice, drawing a two-minute penalty.

Canada kept possession of the puck nearly the entire time inside the U.S. end, but couldn't turn the advantage into a goal. The score remains 0-0.

In each of its last two games, the U.S. has led only 1-0 after one period before scoring a flurry of goals in the second to easily win. Will tonight follow the same formula?

American speedskater Jordan Stolz came up just short of gold today in the men's 1,500-meter event, with Chinese competitor Zhongyan Ning outracing him by just 0.77 seconds. Yet despite the shocking upset for Stolz, the gold medal favorite, he says he's "happy with silver."

"Ning's time was a surprise. He had the race of his life," Stolz told reporters after the race. "I didn't know much about placings until I crossed the finish line. But I was hoping if it wasn't going to be gold, I hoped I could get a silver."

Gold medalist Zhongyan Ning of Team People's Republic of China, silver medalist Jordan Stolz of Team United States and bronze medalist Kjeld Nuis of Team Netherlands during the medal ceremony for the speedskating men's 1,500-meter today. Dean Mouhtaropoulos / Getty Images

Stolz said today's race wasn't "one of [his] best." "I just didn't quite have the legs. The beginning part was a little slow. I thought I could maybe get it back, but I was just beginning to die off," Stolz said.

Stolz was competing for his third gold at the Milan Cortina Games, and that would have made him only the second American to take home three gold medals in a single Winter Games. He will compete in his last event on Saturday for his final chance at the gold.

"It will be fast-paced," Stolz said of Saturday's mass start race. "To try and defend myself in the group there will be a lot of shoving. I will see what I can do in the final."

France’s Lorine Schild is doing her free skate first, and she will be followed by Switzerland’s Livia Kaiser, Israel’s Mariia Seniuk, Switzerland’s Kimmy Repond, China’s Ruiyang Zhang and Poland’s Ekaterina Kurakova.

A very, very large Canadian contingent of fans is here for the seventh meeting between these two nations in the last eight Olympics since women's hockey debuted at the Winter Games.

The energy in the building is electric tonight for one of the signature events of every Winter Olympics: the women’s single skating.

A star that won’t be on the podium tonight? The trusty ham and cheese focaccia.

The United States vs. Canada is a hockey rivalry that never gets old. Ahead of the women's gold medal match later today, take a look inside the historic matchup and what makes it so special.

American speedskater Jordan Stolz's silver medal finish today in the men's 1,500-meter race was a major shock, with Chinese competitor Zhongyan Ning overtaking him by just 0.77 seconds.

Stolz has won eight of the last nine 1,500-meter races on the World Cup level, which made him today's favorite. If Stolz had won gold, he would've become the second American to win three gold medals at a single Winter Games.

There's still a chance for Stolz to earn that title. He'll compete on Saturday in the mass start speedskating final, his last event of this year's Games.

The women's hockey gold medal game is 40 minutes from starting as both teams take the ice to start their warmups inside this arena.

Fans are still trickling in, but those inside the arena now are overwhelmingly wearing Canada's red sweater. Nine days ago, these teams played in this very arena, with the U.S. winning 5-0.

The Team USA goalie discusses one of her favorite topics: Caesar salad.

Despite a major comeback from Switzerland in the final end, Team USA women's curling won today's round-robin game 7-6.

The two teams will face off again in the semifinals tomorrow.

Team USA's Jordan Stolz finished with silver in today's men's 1,500-meter speedskating final, after a huge upset by China’s Zhongyan Ning.

Jordan Stolz competes in the speedskating men's 1,500-meter during the Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games today. Daniel Munoz / AFP - Getty Images

Ning skated the race of his life to defeat the American Olympic star and take the gold with a time of 1:41.98. Stolz was racing for his third gold medal of these Olympic Games. The American speedskater got off to a slow start and was skating to catch Ning's time for the rest of his run.

Zhongyan Ning just delivered a record-setting performance in the men's 1,500-meter speedskating final with a time of 1:41.98.

In Ning's pair was Kjeld Nuis, a three-time Olympic champion, who also finished with an impressive time of 1:42.82. There's only one pair left to skate, which includes Team USA's Jordan Stolz racing for his third gold of this year's Games.

In the speedskating 1,500-meter final, the 12th pair just went. American Jordan Stolz is coming up in the 15th pair, going for his third gold of these Games. We're about 10 minutes away from Stolz's run.

Take a look at the scene here at the Milan Santagiulia Hockey Arena.

Inside Santagiulia Arena, pent-up energy since Switzerland and Sweden entered overtime of the bronze medal women's hockey game released in an eruption of noise when Alina Muller scored the game-winning goal with 50 seconds left in extra time.

Immediately, Muller ripped off her chinstrap, her helmet tossed to the ice. Teammates jumped over the boards to skate to her, as Muller's arms remained raised. Helmets and sticks from victorious Switzerland littered the ice.

At the other end, near the goal where Sweden goaltender Ebba Svensson Traff had allowed the winning goal, Swedish players appeared frozen in place. Teammates on the bench hung their heads in unplanned unison, while others began hugging Svensson Traff.

Looking down at the ice now, Swiss players are dancing at center ice to a techno song, as Swedish players step off toward their locker room.

Switzerland's Alina Muller just scored with under a minute left in overtime, earning the country a spot on the podium.

Switzerland's Alina Muller celebrates after winning the women's bronze medal ice hockey match between Switzerland and Sweden today. Julien De Rosa / AFP - Getty Images

This is the first time Switzerland has medaled in women's hockey in 12 years. Muller scored the game-winning goal to secure their last medal, too.

Today's women's hockey game between Switzerland and Sweden will go to overtime to decide who will take home the bronze medal. The teams will now face off in a 10-minute, sudden-death, 3-on-3 overtime period.

American speedskater Jordan Stolz, who has already won two gold medals in Milan, will be going in the 15th and final pair of today's 1,500-meter final. We just watched pair eight of 15, so it'll be a bit more of a wait for Stolz.

After winning gold in the 1,000-meter and 500-meter, Jordan Stolz will look to stay perfect in Milan when he races the 1,500-meter. 

Stolz is looking to join fellow Wisconsin-born speedskater Eric Heiden as the only Americans to win three gold medals at a single Winter Games (Heiden won five golds at the 1980 Lake Placid Games). 

Stolz, 21, won each of his first two races in Olympic-record time. The Netherlands’ Kjeld Nuis, who is the two-time defending gold medalist in this event, holds the world (1:40.17 — set in 2019) and Olympic (1:43.21 — set in Beijing) records and will look to stop Stolz.

After Team USA’s overtime win against Sweden to advance to the men’s hockey semifinals, team members Dylan Larkin and Quinn Hughes spoke to NBC News. Forward Dylan Larkin said the upcoming semifinal matchup against Slovakia is “do or die” for Team USA, adding that they “have the players to take care of the task.”

‘Do or die’: Team USA advances to men’s hockey semifinals

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Only 20 minutes stand between these women's hockey competitors and a spot on the podium. Sweden and Switzerland are tied 1-1 at the top of the third period.

As Team USA gears up for the women’s figure skating free skating final at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, its three stars are getting some advice from someone who knows a thing or two about the event.

Tara Lipinski, the 1998 Olympic gold medalist and NBC Olympics figure skating analyst, says Alysa Liu, who is in third place heading into the free skate behind Japan’s Ami Nakai and Kaori Sakamoto, has a path to a gold medal.

“She’s definitely going to have to skate as clean as possible,” Lipinski said today on "TODAY." “And then it really comes down to what the other two Japanese women do. And really looking at these results, the points are so close that anyone in that top 10 can make some moves. But for Alysa, the secret that she’s sort of discovered, of how to skate under pressure in the way that she does, is just otherworldly.”

Canada is not closing the door on the possibility of Sidney Crosby playing tomorrow against Finland in the semifinals at the Olympics after leaving the team’s quarterfinal game with an apparent right-leg injury that is still being evaluated.

Crosby, Canada’s 38-year-old captain, did not take part in an optional practice today.

“Sid is by no means ruled out of the tournament,” coach Jon Cooper said. “We’re taking this day by day. And we’re not going to put anyone in harm’s way. But if he can play, he’s definitely going to. We’ll know more in 24 hours.”

Switzerland's Sinja Leeman just scored the team's first goal of today's bronze medal game.

Sinja Leemann celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the women's bronze medal match between Switzerland and Sweden today. Bruce Bennett / Getty Images

A Swedish turnover in their defensive zone cleared the way for Switzerland's equalizer, bringing the score to 1-1.

Sweden strikes first! Mira Jungaker just scored the first goal of today's bronze medal faceoff.

Team Sweden created a screen in front of the Swiss goal, blocking goalkeeper Andrea Braendli's visibility completely. Sweden now leads 1-0.

We're halfway through the final set of women's round-robin curling matches with Team USA leading 3-1 after stealing a point in the fifth end against the hammer. With that, "USA, USA, USA" rings out across the curling stadium.

Cory Thiesse and Tara Peterson during the curling women's round between Switzerland and USA today. Odd Andersen / AFP - Getty Images

A win over Switzerland would see Team USA make the semifinals, though Tabitha Peterson's squad can also progress if they lose this match and Great Britain also loses to Italy. Great Britain is leading 4-1 at the halfway stage in that game, making it all the more important for Team USA to win.

Today's bronze medal women's hockey game saw its best chance of the game when Sweden's Ebba Svensson Traff stopped a penalty shot by Team Switzerland's Ivana Wey.

Canada's Marie-Philip Poulin and Team USA's Hilary Knight — on the short list of their sport's greatest players — will renew their Olympic rivalry one final time.

Knight, 36, has already said these Olympics will be her last, so today's tournament final against Canada will mark the last time hockey fans will get to see these all-time greats fighting for gold.

Poulin, 34, skates into today's action with three golds (2010, 2014, 2022) and a silver (2018). Knight has a gold (2018) and three silvers (2010, 2014, 2022).

Norway got the win they needed in today’s round-robin finale, defeating Canada, 8-6, to advance to the semifinals of the men’s curling competition.

Today’s matchup between Sweden and Switzerland remains scoreless after the first period ends. It’s a pretty even match-up as the two teams deliver low shot volume during the first period.

The gold medal match between Team USA and Canada at 1 p.m. ET in women's ice hockey is one of the most anticipated events of these Olympic Games, but before then there is the matter of the bronze medal to be determined.

Switzerland and Sweden are in action right now. It's been a cagey start for both teams with the scores still tied at 0-0 halfway through the opening period.

Norway have taken gold in the team sprint Nordic combined event, with Jens Luraas Oftebro taking his third gold medal of these Games.

This is Norway's 16th gold medal of these Games, tying the record-setting 16 they won in Beijing four years ago for most golds won by a country in the Winter Games.

Gold medalists Andreas Skoglund and Jens Luraas Oftebro of Team Norway during the medal ceremony for the Nordic Combined Team Sprint on day thirteen of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games. Lars Baron / Getty Images

Nordic combined sees competitors compete in ski jumping and a cross-country skiing race. It has been in the Olympic program since the first Games in 1924, though the International Olympic Committee has yet to confirm it will be a part of the 2030 Games.

The first-ever ski mountaineering gold has gone to Switzerland's Marianne Fatton! She has taken the win ahead of France's Emily Harrop.

Harrop and Fatton came into today as the two favorites for gold. Harrop was ahead until the second transition, but an error from her allowed Fatton to overtake to claim the top step on the podium.

Spain's Ana Alonso Rodriguez claims bronze. She looks overjoyed as she takes her country's first medal of these Games.

Oriol Cardona Coll of Team Spain celebrates after winning gold in the final of the Ski Mountaineering Men's Sprint today. Christian Petersen / Getty Images

In the men's final, it's another medal for Spain, this time for Oriol Cardona Coll. He wins Spain's first winter gold for 54 years. Neutral athlete Nikita Flippov and France's Thibault Anselmet took silver and bronze.

Not even the curling is safe from the heavy snow in Italy!

The start of the final round of women's curling round-robin matches will be delayed by 25 minutes, with World Curling confirming the snow in Cortina is causing delays for the teams to reach the venue.

Team USA will be facing Switzerland, now at 8:30 a.m. ET, knowing that a win will take them through to the semifinals.

We're getting close to awarding the first Olympic medals in ski mountaineering with the finals set in the men's and women's sprints.

The men's semifinals gave us some close racing. Switzerland and Spain both have two skiers through to the men's final, with Jon Kisler and Arno Lietha winning their respective semifinals. Team USA's Cameron Smith finished last in his semifinal — he will team up with Anna Gibson in Saturday's mixed relay.

It's a really short turnaround from the semifinals to the finals, so the finalists will be doing everything they can to keep their legs moving until then to avoid lactic acid from building up. The women's final will be first at 7:55 a.m. ET.

It's tough conditions in Bormio — the town has recieved over eight inches of snow in the last 24 hours, and that is causing some athletes to lose time with snow trapped on their skis.

Italy needed to win today to earn a berth in the semifinals of their home Olympics, but they needed to beat the best team in Cortina to do it, and couldn’t make it happen. Switzerland won 9-5.

The snow is really coming down in Bormio. We've just had the women's sprint semifinals in ski mountaineering, and France's Emily Harrop looks to be on pace for gold as she wins her heat with the fastest time of the semifinal stage. Team USA's Anna Gibson won't make it through as she finishes fifth in her semifinal. Her attention now switches to the mixed team relay on Saturday.

The finalists only have an hour to rest up before going for the first-ever SkiMo Olympic gold medal. Meanwhile, the men's semifinals are up next.

Simone Biles sits down with Maria Taylor to discuss what she enjoys about the Winter Olympics, share the advice she gives to athletes in high-pressure situations, explain where she stands on LA28 and more.

Shortly after the women SkiMo’ers made history by competing in the sport’s Winter Olympic debut in Bormio, the men followed suit. 

Their sprint also consisted of three different heats of six competitors each. The top three racers from the first, second and third heats qualified for the semifinals, along with the next three fastest “lucky losers.” 

In the two semifinals, the top two racers advance to the finals along with the two fastest “lucky losers” for a six-person final field.

We've had a bit of a lull in live action over the last hour with the postponements of the freeski events in Livigno, but we're about to get underway with the ski mountaineering sprint semifinals.

Team USA's Anna Gibson and Cameron Smith made it through their heats earlier this morning as 'fastest losers'. In these semifinals, the top two athletes in each race progress to the final, with the fastest two skiers not already qualified also making it through.

Gibson faces a tough semifinal with gold medal favorites Emily Harrop of France and Switzerland's Marianne Fatton joining her in the first of the women's semifinals. Smith is in the second of the men's semis.

Today, for the first time at the Olympics, skiers will scamper uphill wearing carpet-like skins on their skis or just their stiff boots, then barrel back down an ungroomed course.

This is ski mountaineering — or skimo — the newest Olympic event. It’s a brutal high-altitude sport.

The Women's Sprint Ski Mountaineering heat 2 at the Stelvio Ski Centre in Bormio today. Dimitar Dilkoff / AFP via Getty Images

“I think they are the athletes who have the highest pain threshold and can really suffer,” Dr. Volker Schöffl, the physician for the German ski mountaineering team, said in an interview. “They sprint, they run and then, you know, gradually everybody is dying around you until one man is standing and finishing first.”

Read the full story here.

Freeski superstar Eileen Gu's decision to represent her mother's birth nation of China has been a hot-button topic on social media throughout these Olympics, and now Vice President JD Vance has weighed in, suggesting Gu should have chosen to represent the United States.

Eileen Gu of Team China competes in the third run of the Women's Freeski Big Air Qualification on Saturday. Patrick Smith / Getty Images

Gu has become the most decorated Olympic freeskier of all time during these Games, adding two silver medals to her haul from Beijing 2022 when she won two golds and a silver. She was born and raised in San Francisco, but declared her intention in June 2019 to represent China.

"I certainly think somebody who grew up in the United States of America, who benefited from our education system, from the freedoms and liberties that make this country place, I would hope they want to compete with the United States of America," Vance told Fox News when asked about the social media furor over Gu. "I'm going to root for American athletes, and I think part of that is people who identify themselves as Americans."

The 22-year-old is due to compete later today in qualifying for the women's halfpipe, her strongest event.

Team USA had faint hopes this morning of progressing to the men's curling semifinals. They needed three different results to go their way in the final round of round-robin matches, but Norway's win over Canada officially eliminates the U.S. squad.

Aidan Oldenburg and Ben Richardson of Team USA competing against Team Great Britain yesterday. Carmen Mandato / Getty Images

Unbeaten Switzerland will face Great Britain in the semifinals at 1:05 p.m ET, while Canada will take on Norway.

Sports can be just as physical as they are mental. Watch Olympic athletes get in their zone and visualize the course before they get rolling.

What else are you supposed to do after winning Olympic gold other than crashing out in bed with your medal?!

History has been made this morning with the first heats in the new Olympic sport of ski mountaineering getting underway amid heavy snow in Bormio.

Anna Gibson competes during heat 1 of the Ski Mountaineering Women's Sprint today. Christian Petersen / Getty Images

The women are first up this morning with Team USA's Anna Gibson — a newcomer to the sport having only made her professional debut in November — taking part in the first heat. The top three in each heat qualifies for the semifinals — Gibson finishes fifth out of the six racers, but she secures one of three 'fastest loser' spots, so she will advance.

France's Emily Harrop, one of the gold medal favorites today, won that first heat to claim the honor of winning the first-ever Olympic SkiMo race.

The men's heats are up next, before semifinals and finals later today.

For the second time this week, we have very heavy snowfall in Livigno, which has seen some freestyle ski events postponed for today.

The men's aerials competition, due to happen this morning, was pre-emptively postponed last night given the forecast. That will now take place tomorrow.

We will also not see the men's freeski halfpipe qualifiers today — that has also fallen foul of the weather. The women's halfpipe qualifiers, featuring Eileen Gu in her strongest event of the Games, are still scheduled to happen tonight.

If you were planning to call out of work sick to watch the Olympics, today is the day to do so. We have curling semifinal action, finals in both women’s and men’s skimo, the bronze and gold medal games in women’s hockey, and Jordan Stolz going for another gold in speed skating. 

On top of all that? The final figure skating medal of the Olympics will be given in the women’s single event, with American Alysa Liu in contention for a medal.

All times are in Eastern, and an asterisk signifies a medal event:

3:05 a.m.: Curling, men’s round robin (Sweden vs. Czechia, Italy vs. Switzerland, China vs. Germany, Norway vs. Canada)

3:10 a.m.: Nordic combined, team sprint trial round

3:50 a.m.: Ski mountaineering, women’s sprint heats