Winter Olympics Day 11: Hockey and Curling Games Played

Day 11 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics saw crucial matches in ice hockey qualification playoffs and continued competition in Nordic combined, biathlon, and curling. Germany and Switzerland advanced in the men's ice hockey, while Sweden faced a significant deficit in curling.

Competition Highlights

On this particular day, February 17, 2026, several events were underway:

• Ice Hockey: The men's qualification playoff round for the ice hockey tournament was a key focus.

• Germany secured a victory against France, leading 3-0 at one point.

• Switzerland also demonstrated strong performance, leading Italy 2-0.

• These wins positioned Germany and Switzerland for potential future matchups against Slovakia and Finland, respectively.

• In a notable upset, the Czech Republic's men's team defeated Germany 9-7, marking their first win of the tournament.

• Curling: Round robin play continued, with significant results observed:

• Sweden, the defending champions in the men's event, were trailing Switzerland with a score of 6-1.

• Germany held a lead against Czechia (4-2).

• The USA was in a close match against China (2-1).

• Nordic Combined: The men's large hill ski jumping, part of the Nordic combined event, took place.

• Freestyle Skiing: Women's aerials events were also part of the day's schedule.

• Biathlon: The "beautiful madness" of biathlon events was noted as a highlight of the Games.

Schedule and Venues

The events were spread across various dedicated venues:

Read More: Milan Cortina 2026: Day 11 Ice Hockey and Other Games

Broader Context of the Games

The 2026 Winter Olympics, hosted in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, feature a diverse range of sports. Ski mountaineering made its debut as a Winter Olympic event. The Games have seen global participation, with Russia and Belarus being barred from competing. Concerns have also been raised regarding alleged corruption in the selection of sponsors and public works tenders.

Team Performance and Standings

• Men's Ice Hockey: Germany and Switzerland advanced from their qualification playoff matches. The Czech Republic's victory over Germany was a significant outcome.

• Curling: Switzerland appeared dominant in the men's competition against Sweden. Germany and the USA were in winning positions in their respective matches.

• Biathlon: The event was described as a "sleeper hit" for the Milan Cortina Games, indicating popular engagement.

Expert Insights

While no direct expert commentary was available in the provided summaries, the reporting highlights the competitive nature of the events, with phrases like "crunch time" for curling and "qualification playoff round" for ice hockey. The mention of teams being "almost certainly out" if they lose a game underscores the high stakes in these preliminary and round-robin stages.

Conclusion and Implications

Day 11 of the 2026 Winter Olympics was marked by intense competition in team sports like ice hockey and curling, alongside individual and combined discipline events. The outcomes of the ice hockey qualification playoffs and the ongoing curling round robins are shaping the later stages of these tournaments. The presence of a wide array of sports across multiple venues in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo continues to showcase global athletic talent.

Read More: Winter Olympics Day 10: Many Medal Events Today

• The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/feb/17/winter-olympics-2026-crunch-time-in-curling-slopestyle-bobsleigh-and-more-on-day-11-live - Live updates from Day 11, focusing on curling, slopestyle, and bobsleigh.

• The New York Times (The Athletic): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/winter-olympics-2026-milano-cortina-live-updates-day-11-schedule-events-scores-results/MXgFmLkuj9aW/ - Live blog with updates on curling, hockey, and figure skating, including specific match results.

• Olympics.com: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026 - Official information on venues, schedules, and the overall structure of the Milan Cortina 2026 Games.

• USA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2026/02/15/2026-winter-olympics-schedule-times-tv-stream/88679062007/ - Provides detailed scheduling information for events, including ice hockey and curling.

• Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026WinterOlympics - General overview of the Games, including host cities, sports, and significant pre-event information like the debut of ski mountaineering and the barring of Russia and Belarus.