Men's Hockey Semifinals on Feb 20th Affect Olympic Viewing Plans

The Men's Olympic hockey semifinals are set for Friday, February 20th. Canada faces Finland at 4:40 PM CET, and USA plays Slovakia at 9:10 PM CET. This is a big day for hockey fans.
By Newsroom | Sports, Winter Olympics |

Key Matchups Anticipated on a Busy Day of Competition

Day 14 of the Olympics features significant events, with the men's hockey semifinals taking center stage. Other notable competitions include the women's curling semifinals and ski cross events. Athletes are vying for medals across several disciplines, adding a layer of intense competition as the games progress.

Schedule and Notable Events

The men's hockey semifinals are scheduled to take place on Friday, February 20th.

Olympic viewing guide: Men's hockey semis highlight a huge Day 14 - 1

  • Canada vs. Finland: This semifinal is set for 4:40 PM CET (10:40 AM ET).

  • USA vs. Slovakia: This semifinal match will occur at 9:10 PM CET (3:10 PM ET).

Beyond hockey, the women's curling semifinals are also on the schedule. Rachel Homan will compete for Canada against Sweden. The women's ski cross event features Marielle Thompson, who is aiming for her third Olympic medal.

Team Performances and Expectations

Both Canada and the United States advanced to the semifinals after winning their quarter-final matches. Canada defeated Czechia 4-3, while the USA secured a 2-1 victory over Sweden. Finland also progressed by winning their quarter-final against Switzerland 3-2 in overtime. Slovakia achieved a decisive 6-2 win over Germany in their quarter-final match.

Read More: United States Women's Hockey Team Wins Olympic Gold Over Canada in Overtime

Olympic viewing guide: Men's hockey semis highlight a huge Day 14 - 2

  • Canada is noted as the highest-ranked team in Group A.

  • Finland holds the top ranking in Group B.

  • The United States is the highest-ranked team in Group C.

Context of the Semifinal Matches

The men's hockey tournament has reached its final four teams.

"Canada, much like the U.S. with Slovakia, should win this game on paper. We have a lot of guys who've played high-stakes games, who know what it takes to win a hockey game.”

This sentiment highlights the perceived advantage of Canada and the USA based on their players' experience. However, the summary also points to Finland's strong hockey culture.

Olympic viewing guide: Men's hockey semis highlight a huge Day 14 - 3

"But what Finland has most of all is a hockey culture, one that survives its players playing on different teams in the NHL and comes to life when they are reunited on the national team."

This suggests that team cohesion and deep-rooted hockey traditions can be significant factors, even against teams with more individual high-stakes game experience.

Medal Games and Broader Competition

Following the semifinals, the men's bronze medal game is scheduled for Saturday, February 21st at 8:40 PM CET (2:40 PM ET). The gold medal game will take place on Sunday, February 22nd at 2:10 PM CET (8:10 AM ET).

The overall Olympic competition includes 12 teams in both men's and women's hockey, divided into pools before advancing to the quarter-finals, semifinals, and medal matches.

Read More: Alysa Liu Wins Historic 2026 Olympic Figure Skating Gold, Ending 24-Year US Drought

Broadcasting Information

Games will be streamed live on Peacock, with USA Network televising preliminary round games. Broadcast and streaming options vary by region, with platforms like CBC Gem offering coverage in Canada.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What big sports events are happening on Friday, February 20th?
The men's Olympic hockey semifinals are the main events on February 20th. Canada plays Finland at 4:40 PM CET, and the USA plays Slovakia at 9:10 PM CET. Women's curling semifinals and ski cross events are also happening.
Q: How did Canada and the USA get to the men's hockey semifinals?
Canada beat Czechia 4-3 in their quarter-final match. The USA won against Sweden with a score of 2-1. Both teams will now play in the semifinals.
Q: When are the men's Olympic hockey medal games?
The bronze medal game is on Saturday, February 21st at 8:40 PM CET. The gold medal game, where the winner will be decided, is on Sunday, February 22nd at 2:10 PM CET.
Q: Where can I watch the men's Olympic hockey semifinals?
You can watch the games live on Peacock in the USA. Other regions may have different broadcast options like CBC Gem in Canada. Check local listings for specific times and channels.