February 12 Olympic Journal: Both Men’s and Women’ Hockey Play, and some Unexpected Results for America
February 12 was another action-packed day at the Olympics in Milan-Cortina. The United States won an unexpected bronze medal in cross country skiing. Snowboarding goddess Chloe Kim earned a silver medal in the women’s halfpipe.
Also, men’s and women’s ice hockey are both playing, and both the Canadian men and the American men won their games. With both of these tournaments now going, there is a guarantee of more great action to come. Are you planning on watching this February?
February 12 Medal Table
| Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
| Norway | 7 | 2 | 5 |
| Italy | 6 | 8 | 3 |
| United States | 4 | 7 | 3 |
| Germany | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Sweden | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Switzerland | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| Austria | 3 | 6 | 3 |
| France | 3 | 4 | 1 |
The United States did not win five medals today, but still had a successful day. For instance, there was an unexpected medal in cross-country skiing.
Jesse Diggins Wins Bronze In Cross-Country Skiing
American cross-country skier Jessie Diggins is the most decorated cross-country skier in American history. On a warm February day in the Italian Alps, the gutsy Diggins fought through a painful rib injury to win a bronze medal in the 10-kilometer interval start freestyle.
She hurt her rib in a fall in the first race of these Olympics. Winning medals in cross-country skiing for the United States is rare, but this year, they have won two so far. This medal rush belies a strong American team that is forecast to get stronger in the years to come.
Chole Kim Wins Silver In Snowboarding
Kim failed in her quest to win an unprecedented three gold medals in a row in snowboarding. Her event is the halfpipe. Her boyfriend, reigning National Football League defensive player of the year Myles Garrett, was there. Snoop Dog and noted male half-piper, Shaun White, were there as well.
Kim fell in her third, and final run, attempting to best the 90.25 put up by Gaon Choi of the Republic of Korea in her second run. The conditions were not good. Snow falling most likely contributed to about half of the snowboarders falling. That was a February scene. There was a thought that the lack of contrast between the air and the course induced some vertigo among the competitors.
Both Hockey Tournaments Going Strong
The women’s hockey tournament has completed group play and will begin its medal round tomorrow. The American women are looking strong after recording their third consecutive shutout; they seem to be on a collision course with the Canadians, whom they beat 5-0 yesterday.
Both the Canadiens and the Americans won their games. The Canadians beat Czechia 5-0, and the United States beat Latvia 5-1. They showed impressive guts after getting two goals disallowed in the first period.
In that first period, Brady Tkachuk scored for the United States in this first period. That gave the United States a 1-0 lead. The Americans looked to take a 2-0 lead in the first period, but twice had goals disallowed. Then things went from bad to worse for the Americans as the Latvians tied the game at 1 with a Renārs Krastenbergs goal.
The United States scored three goals in the second period. Brock Nelson scored twice, surrounding a power play goal from Tage Thompspson. The American lead at the end of the second period was 4-1. Austin Matthews scored for the United States in the third period.
Parting Shots
On February 12, there was both men’s and women’s curling. There was also the team event in luge, and the Americans finished in fifth. Tomorrow, on February 13, the “Quad God” takes the ice, and there will be more medals won.
