Men's Tournament
Olympic men's hockey qualification playoffs set for Tuesday in Milan
Reported by AI Image generated by AI
The men's hockey tournament at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics enters its single-elimination phase with four qualification playoff games on Tuesday. Top seeds Canada, United States, Slovakia and Finland receive byes to the quarterfinals, while the winners of the matchups advance to face them. Teams like Sweden and Czechia face challenging paths ahead in the knockout stage.
Sweden remained atop the women's curling standings despite a first loss, while Switzerland and Canada secured semifinal spots in the men's tournament. The United States and Switzerland tied for second in women's play at 5-2. Three sessions of round-robin action are set for Wednesday before the playoffs begin.
Reported by AI
In curling at the Winter Olympics, alternates serve as vital support players who may never step onto the ice but ensure their teams perform at their best. These fifth team members handle logistics, scouting, and preparation while staying ready for any opportunity to play. Athletes from Team USA, Canada, and Great Britain highlight the selflessness required for the role.