February 14: Olympic Journal, Jordan Stolz Is Coming To a Wheaties Box, and US Men Win In Hockey
On February 14, the incomparable American speedskater won a gold medal in the Men’s 500-meter race and set an Olympic record in the process. The day started with the United States winning two medals in women’s moguls.
Also on February 14, the United States men’s hockey team overcame a slow start to best Denmark 6-3. Do you think the United States men’s hockey team will be able to win the gold and beat Canada?
February 14 Medal Table
| Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
| Norway | 10 | 3 | 7 |
| Italy | 6 | 3 | 9 |
| United States | 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Austria | 4 | 6 | 3 |
| France | 4 | 6 | 2 |
| Germany | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| Netherlands | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| Sweden | 4 | 4 | 1 |
Speedskating: Jordan Stolz is Amazing
21-year-old Jordan Stolz won the gold medal in the men’s 500-meter speedskating race. He won with an Olympic Record. That was his second gold medal and second Olympic record of these games. He still has two more races left, the 1500-meter race and the team pursuit. He could end up with four gold medals and may leave Milan-Cortina with four gold medals and four Olympic records. His achievements are so great that he is likely to grace a Wheaties box on your table.
He is 21 and had great expectations coming into these Olympics. Ilia Malinin is 20 years old and also had great expectations coming into these Olympics. It is fair to wonder why some people rise to the pressure and some people do not. This is a shocking contrast. One will be remembered as having a great February, the other will not.
Two Medals In Women’s Moguls
The United States also did well in moguls, in a new event. In the Olympic debut of dual moguls, which is a pretty cool addition to these Milan-Cortina Games, the Americans, who have won a quarter of the American medals so far, dominated. On February 14, Jaelin Kauf won silver, as she did in the classic moguls event four days earlier. Liz Lemley, her teammate who won the gold in moguls, took bronze.
Some more about this event, because it is new, is in order. Australia’s Jakara Anthony, whose stumble in the moguls final gave the Americans the top two spots on the podium. The other two Americans in this field, Tess Johnson and Olivia Giacco, advanced to the quarterfinals but were knocked out by other skiers. That meant that half of the final eight skiers were Americans. Beyond the American success, though, is the excitement of the event, which virtually ensures it will be back four years from now.
The US Men Beat Denmark In Hockey
The United States beat Denmark 6-3. The Americans are now 2-0 in Group C, and have already guaranteed a spot in the medal round. The United States trailed 2-1 after the first period, but overcame its slow start to get the win. The United States outshot Denmark 40-19 in this contest.
Jack Eichel, Noah Hanifin, Jake Gentzel, Jack Hughes, Brady Tkachuk, and Matt Boldy all scored for the United States. However, there was room for improvement with the United States giving up three goals, including two softies. The weakness of the American men’s team may be its goaltending. The American team is firmly in control in Group C, with the win, and plays Germany tomorrow.
Parting Shots
February 14 revealed one big American star in Stolz. It is also the case that Lemly and Kauf won a silver and a bronze medal today in a new mogul event for women. They have won four medals at these Olympics between them. The United States men’s hockey team came back to win over Denmark to take firm control of Group C. They play tomorrow in a quick turnaround on what is sure to be an entertaining day at these Olympics.
