On February 17, significant events unfolded at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, particularly in the realm of speedskating and men's hockey. Canada’s speedskating team, consisting of Valérie Maltais, Ivanie Blondin, and Isabelle Weidemann, showcased their incredible skills by winning the women's team pursuit event. This victory marks their second consecutive Olympic gold in this category, following their triumph in Beijing, and it was especially poignant as they announced this would be their last competition together as a team. They managed to edge out the Dutch team in a thrilling finish, where they reversed an early deficit to clinch gold.

In men's hockey, Canada secured its quarterfinal matchup by finishing atop their group, maintaining a flawless record of 3-0 and an impressive goal differential of 20-3. Their dominant performance culminated in a decisive 5-0 win against Czechia, their upcoming opponent, who advanced by narrowly defeating Denmark in the qualification playoffs. This sets the stage for a highly anticipated clash, with Canada’s strong offensive showing being a key factor heading into the knockout rounds.

Additionally, there were concerns over the absence of star players Nathan MacKinnon and Sam Bennett during practice, sparking questions about their fitness as the team prepares for critical matches ahead. As the Olympics progress, these storylines exemplify the building excitement and competition amongst nations, particularly for Team Canada as they aim to add to their medal tally in a bid for Olympic glory.