Canada's Olympic Journey: Day 7 at Milano Cortina 2026 Unveils Surprises and Triumphs
The Medal Count Stalls, But the Excitement Doesn't!
February 13th, 2026, marked a day of mixed emotions for Team Canada. While they didn't secure any new medals, the day was filled with thrilling performances and unexpected outcomes.
In figure skating, Stephen Gogolev captivated audiences with a breathtaking routine. His near-perfect free skate earned him a remarkable second place in that segment, accumulating 186.37 points. Combined with his short program score, he soared from 10th to fifth place overall, narrowly missing the podium by a mere 1.12 points. This performance marked Canada's best Olympic result in men's singles since Patrick Chan's silver at Sochi 2014. But here's where it gets controversial—the reigning world champion, Ilia Malinin, shockingly dropped from first to eighth overall, leaving fans and analysts puzzled.
The men's hockey team continued their winning streak, dominating Switzerland with a 5-1 victory. Macklin Celebrini, Nathan MacKinnon, and the exceptional Connor McDavid showcased their skills, each contributing multiple points. Logan Thompson, in his Olympic debut, made a stellar 24 saves. The team's preliminary round concludes on Sunday against France, where they'll aim to solidify their top spot in Group A.
In a heartwarming moment, speed skater Ted-Jan Bloemen bid farewell to his Olympic career. After a ninth-place finish in the men's 10,000m, he took a victory lap, cherishing the moment with his family. This emotional goodbye marked the end of a remarkable chapter in his life.
Canada's young cross-country skiers continued to defy expectations. Tom Stephen achieved a remarkable ninth-place finish in the men's 10km free, a significant improvement from his previous World Cup rankings. Rémi Drolet and Max Hollmann also delivered strong performances, placing 19th and 23rd, respectively.
Team Jacobs maintained their undefeated status in curling, securing two wins on Friday. They defeated both the USA and Sweden, showcasing their skill and strategy. Meanwhile, Team Homan faced a setback, losing to the USA by a single point.
In snowboard cross, Audrey McManiman's journey came to an end in the ⅛ finals, placing 17th overall.
The biathlon event saw Adam Runnalls lead the Canadian men, finishing 31st in the 10km sprint. Zachary Connelly, Logan Pletz, and Jasper Fleming also competed, with Runnalls, Connelly, and Pletz qualifying for the upcoming 12.5km pursuit.
In skeleton, Jane Channell and Hallie Clarke completed their first two runs, ranking 15th and 20th, respectively, with the final runs scheduled for Saturday. Josip Brusic concluded his event in 24th place.
And this is the part most people miss—while Day 7 didn't bring home any new medals, it showcased the depth of Canadian talent and the unpredictable nature of Olympic competition. The day's events left fans with a mix of pride, anticipation, and curiosity about what the coming days will bring. Will Team Canada's medal count surge in the final stretch? Only time will tell, and the world is watching with bated breath.
