Charles Hamelin was chasing history. Already with four career Olympic medals, three of them gold, he was a favourite to add one more in the 1000-m. Instead, Hamelin tripped on his own skates and finished last place in the quarter-finals.
Charles Hamelin just lost an edge and took a tumble. That’s it for his shot at becoming Canada’s most decorated Olympian ever.
— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) February 15, 2014
Oh my gosh, Charles Hamelin just fell in the 1000, all by himself.
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) February 15, 2014
It really looks like Charles Hamelin just caught his left blade on the turn, took himself down.
— Callum Ng (@CallumNg) February 15, 2014
Fellow Canadians Charlie Cournoyer and Olivier Jean also failed to advance to the semi-finals, meaning Canada will likely go without winning a medal today.
One Hamelin fell in the 5,000-metre relay. The other goes down in the quarters of the 1,000. Just like that, a different narrative.
— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) February 15, 2014
It was a bad start to the day for Canada, but Saturday, February 15 will go down in history for Slovenian hockey. With less than a thousand registered hockey players, many figured the tiny European nation would simply be happy to be in the Olympic hockey competition. Slovenia only has one NHL player and were going up against a strong team from Slovakia, who finished fourth place at the Vancouver Games.
Total number of registered hockey players in Slovenia: 943.
— Colby Cosh (@colbycosh) February 15, 2014
A bunch of these Slovenian players belong to French Ligue Magnus clubs.
— Colby Cosh (@colbycosh) February 15, 2014
But after holding the game to 0-0 into the third period, Slovenia surprised the hockey world with three quick goals.
Smell what the ‘Rok’ is cooking? Ticar gives Slovenia a 1-0 3rd-period lead. Margin is less, but this loss would be far worse for Slovaks.
— Dan Marrazza (@DanMarrazza) February 15, 2014
2-0 Slovenia! Halak gets no D support as Chara can’t find puck as his feet. (Needed a telescope)
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) February 15, 2014
All hail Slovenia, best story of Olympic pucks so far. Now lead Slovakia, 3-0, after three rapid-fire goals in third. Polkas for everyone.
— Dejan Kovacevic (@Dejan_Kovacevic) February 15, 2014
Slovenia is up 3-0 on Slovakia. If you are sleeping you are missing quality Olympic hockey.
— Matt Boudreaux (@MattBoudreaux) February 15, 2014
A late goal by the Slovaks ruined the shutout, but Slovenia won’t care considering the momentous win.
Slovakia was one goal away from Canada in the semi-finals four years ago, and got beaten by little Slovenia today.
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) February 15, 2014
Slovenia goalie Robert Kristan, after a 3-1 win over Slovakia. “It’s kind of a miracle.”
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 15, 2014
Thats what hockey is all about ! Teamwork beats Talent as Slovenia wins 3 – 1 against Slovakia #Sochi2014 pic.twitter.com/jJbY0P281q
— GermanBsFan (@Germanbsfan) February 15, 2014
Some good news for Canada, came from the curling rink. It was a regular day at the office for Jennifer Jones. Another game, another win. The skip helped Team Canada to an 8-6 victory over Japan to improve their record to 6-0.
Soft tap for two in 1st end. TEam Can Jones teams opens with a duece against Japan. @cbcolympics pic.twitter.com/Ex9ZjTB4c9
— ColleenJonescbc (@cbccolleenjones) February 15, 2014
Team Jones stays perfect in women’s curling. Canada now 6-0 at #sochi2014. Likely playoff bound now.
— ottguy (@ottguy) February 15, 2014
Big win over Japan this am! Can’t wait to get back on the ice! Coach Janet wrote a blog after the game. Read it here! http://t.co/YKLiqh2KgM
— Team Jennifer Jones (@TeamJJonesCurl) February 15, 2014
Team Canada has virtually guaranteed a spot in the top four of the round robin standings, which would put them in the semi-finals.
Dispatches from Sochi: (Be sure to follow: @ChasGillis, @JonGatehouse, @kmqyvr, @KrRutherford and @reporterchris)
Jonathon Gatehouse: Patrick Chan on settling for silver: ‘I think I’ll be crushed when I go home’
Ken MacQueen: Jeff Carter hat trick lifts Team Canada over Austria
Jonathon Gatehouse: The heat is on in Sochi (VIDEO)
Charlie Gillis: Weather throwing Canadian cross-country skiers for a loop
Wake up! Still to come today: Skeleton finals and a big hockey game at the Bolshoy
In some non-Canadian content, Americans who remember the Miracle on Ice will be looking for a Miracle at the Bolshoy. Team USA will not be the same kind of longshots to win gold as they were in 1980, but they will be underdogs going head-to-head against the hometown Russians. Look for at least one of these two teams to be in the gold medal final, so call it scouting homework as a Team Canada fan. Puck drops at 7:30 a.m. EST/4:30 a.m. PST.
Calgary’s John Fairbairn and Eric Nielson of Kelowna, B.C. are longshots to a win a medal in skeleton (they sit in eighth and 12th place, respectively, after the first two of four runs), but watching them go slide face-first downhill at 135 km/h is enough to make anybody hold their breath. And the helmets are pretty cool too. Men’s skeleton starts at 9:45 a.m. EST/6:45 a.m. PST.