Day 13 at Milano Cortina 2026: Canada Chases Hockey Gold, Homan’s Heroics Ignite Curling Dreams, and Jacobs Eyes Revenge
Day 13 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics arrived with a sense of inevitability and anticipation for Canadian fans. After four consecutive days of gold-medal triumphs, Team Canada stood on the brink of another defining moment — this time in the sport that has long been intertwined with the country’s identity.
While there was only one genuine gold-medal opportunity for Canada on Thursday, it was the biggest stage imaginable: women’s hockey against the United States. But the drama did not stop at the rink. Over on the curling sheets, Rachel Homan authored one of the most compelling comeback stories of the Games, and Brad Jacobs prepared for a high-stakes semifinal rematch against Norway.
From must-win curling battles to Olympic-record shutout streaks and historic scoring milestones, Day 13 delivered intensity, redemption, and rivalry in equal measure.
Canada vs. USA: A Gold-Medal Rivalry Renewed
If there is one certainty in Olympic women’s hockey, it is this: when the medals are handed out, Canada and the United States will almost always be at the centre of the action.
On Thursday at 1:10 p.m. EST (10:10 a.m. PST), that familiar script unfolded again as Canada and the U.S. met in the gold-medal game for the fifth consecutive Olympics and the seventh time overall. Like death and taxes, the rivalry felt inevitable from the moment the tournament began.
A Rivalry Built on Olympic History
Canada has historically held the upper hand in Olympic gold-medal meetings, winning four of the previous six matchups. However, momentum entering the final slightly tilted south of the border. The United States had won seven straight games against Canada overall, signaling a shift in recent dominance.
The Americans entered the gold-medal contest with staggering defensive credentials. They had allowed just one goal in the entire tournament, outscored opponents 31-1, and recorded five consecutive shutouts. Their 331 minutes and 23 seconds of shutout time set a new Olympic record — a testament to a defensive system that suffocated opponents and a goaltending unit performing at peak efficiency.
At the heart of the American charge stood standout defensewoman Caroline Harvey, arguably the tournament’s best player. Harvey racked up a tournament-high nine points and posted an eye-popping plus-14 rating, dominating both ends of the ice with composure beyond her years.
Image Credit: AI-generated illustration created with DALL·E for editorial use (Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics concept image).
Captain Clutch Returns
Canada’s hopes, however, rested heavily on one name: Marie-Philip Poulin.
Nicknamed “Captain Clutch,” Poulin’s Olympic résumé reads like folklore. She has scored three Olympic gold-medal-winning goals in her career and entered her fifth Games as captain of the national team. Since 2015, she has been the heartbeat of Canadian women’s hockey.
Earlier in the tournament, Canada suffered a lopsided defeat to the United States — a game in which Poulin was absent due to injury. Her absence was glaring. Without her leadership and scoring presence, Canada struggled to generate consistent offense.
But when she returned in the semifinal against Switzerland, Poulin delivered in familiar fashion, scoring both of Canada’s goals to secure a berth in the gold-medal game. Those tallies — her 19th and 20th career Olympic goals — propelled her past Hayley Wickenheiser for the all-time Olympic goal-scoring lead in women’s hockey.
Wickenheiser still holds the Olympic points record with 51, a mark that underscores her legendary status. Yet Poulin’s ability to rise in defining moments has carved out a legacy uniquely her own.
Despite playing only three full games in the tournament because of injury sustained against Czechia, Poulin found the back of the net three times. Her timing could not have been more crucial.
Homan’s Stunning Comeback: From 1-3 to Semifinals
While hockey dominated headlines, the curling rink offered a narrative equally compelling.
Rachel Homan and her Canadian women’s curling team entered Thursday facing elimination. After a disastrous 1-3 start in round-robin play — including three consecutive losses — the Olympic dream hung by a thread.
But champions often reveal themselves not in smooth sailing, but in storms.
Must-Win Mentality
Treating every subsequent game as a playoff contest, Homan’s rink strung together five consecutive victories to close the round robin with a 6-3 record. Their final hurdle: a do-or-die clash against South Korea’s Gim Eun-ji.
Canada delivered.
In a 10-7 victory over the Republic of Korea, Homan displayed tactical precision and unflappable nerve. Canada scored one with the hammer in the opening end, then stole a point in the second. South Korea briefly seized control in the third end, taking a 3-2 lead with the hammer.
But the defining moment came in the sixth end.
Facing pressure, Homan executed a masterful draw for four, flipping the scoreboard to an 8-4 advantage and effectively putting the match out of reach. It was the kind of shot that defines Olympic campaigns — bold, precise, and delivered under maximum pressure.
A First Shot at Olympic Hardware
Finishing fourth in the standings, Canada clinched the final playoff berth and advanced to the semifinal. Awaiting them: top-seeded Sweden.
Canada, however, had reason for confidence. Earlier in the week, they defeated Sweden 8-6 during their remarkable comeback run.
The semifinal was scheduled for Friday at 8:05 a.m. EST (5:05 a.m. PST), with a spot in the gold-medal game on the line.
For Homan, this breakthrough carried personal significance. Despite a decorated career filled with world titles and championship victories, this marked the first time in her third Olympic appearance that she would compete for a medal.
After years of near misses and heartbreak, the door to Olympic glory had finally opened.
Jacobs vs. Norway: A High-Stakes Rematch
If Homan’s storyline centered on survival and resurgence, the men’s curling semifinal told a tale of revenge.
Brad Jacobs and his Canadian men’s team entered Thursday’s semifinal against Norway with something to prove. Earlier that day, in the final round-robin match, Canada fell to Norway — a defeat that dropped their record to 7-2.
Though Canada had already secured a playoff berth, the loss stung. For Norway, the victory proved critical, lifting their record to 5-4 and propelling them into the semifinal.
Now, just hours later at 1:35 p.m. EST (10:35 a.m. PST), the two teams were set to meet again — this time with a berth in the gold-medal game at stake.
Stakes Elevated
In round-robin play, losses can be absorbed. In the semifinals, they cannot.
There was speculation that Norway, led by skip Magnus Ramsfjell, may have played with added desperation earlier in the day, knowing their Olympic survival depended on it. Canada, meanwhile, had the luxury of a secured playoff spot.
That luxury vanished in the semifinal.
For Jacobs — an Olympic veteran — the opportunity for a runback presented both motivation and urgency. The margins at this level are razor-thin. Execution under pressure would determine who advanced and who went home empty-handed.
Beyond the Medals: A Packed Schedule for Canada
Though hockey and curling commanded the spotlight, Canada’s athletes were active across disciplines.
What to Watch for Team Canada on Day 13:
- 1:10 p.m. EST — Women’s hockey gold-medal game vs. USA
- 1:30 p.m. EST — Women’s freestyle skiing halfpipe qualification (Run 1)
- 1:35 p.m. EST — Men’s curling semifinal vs. Norway
- 2:27 p.m. EST — Women’s freestyle skiing halfpipe qualification (Run 2)
The condensed schedule meant Canadian fans scarcely had time to breathe. As one competition reached its climax, another surged toward critical moments.
Switzerland Claims Bronze
Earlier in the day, Switzerland secured the bronze medal in women’s hockey with a narrow 2-1 victory over Sweden.
While Canada and the United States prepared for their heavyweight showdown, Switzerland quietly added to its growing international résumé, showcasing the increasing global depth in women’s hockey.
The Emotional Weight of Day 13
What made Day 13 unique was not merely the medal count — it was the emotional range.
There was anticipation in hockey, redemption in women’s curling, and tension in men’s curling. The narratives intersected in a powerful way: veteran leaders chasing legacy-defining moments.
- Poulin seeking another golden chapter.
- Homan chasing her first Olympic medal opportunity.
- Jacobs aiming to convert experience into advantage.
After four straight days of gold medals for Canada, the nation collectively paused. Hockey represented the most visible prize, but the curling sheets offered equally meaningful stakes.
A Defining Stretch at Milano Cortina
As the Milano Cortina Games entered their closing stages, Day 13 underscored why the Olympics captivate global audiences.
They compress careers into moments.
They magnify rivalries into epics.
They turn setbacks into stepping stones.
For Canada, Thursday was about more than medals. It was about resilience, rivalry, and the pursuit of excellence under the brightest lights.
The outcome of the women’s hockey gold-medal game would echo across the country. But even beyond that final score, Rachel Homan’s comeback and Brad Jacobs’ semifinal battle embodied the relentless spirit that defines Olympic competition.
In the end, Day 13 was not just another page in the Olympic schedule.
It was a chapter — rich with tension, redemption, and history in the making.
FAQ Section
Q1: Who played in the women’s hockey gold medal game on Day 13?
Canada faced the United States in the gold medal game at Milano Cortina 2026.
Q2: How did Rachel Homan reach the curling semifinal?
After a 1-3 start, Homan’s team won five straight games including a must-win against South Korea.
Q3: Who did Brad Jacobs face in the semifinal?
Jacobs played Norway in the men’s curling semifinal after losing to them in the round robin