Winter Olympics TV schedule: What to watch Friday, Feb. 21
As the second week of the Olympic Games in Sochi winds down, eight medals are up for grabs on Friday including in alpine and freestyle skiing, speedskating, biathlon, and curling.
The United States and Canada face off today in one of the Games' most anticipated events – the semifinal match of men's ice hockey – for a chance to compete for the gold medal on Sunday. Meanwhile, ski sensation Mikaela Shiffrin makes another attempt at the Olympic podium during the slalom race.
NBC will air a tape-delayed afternoon broadcast from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. EST and a prime-time broadcast at 8 p.m. EST. Its affiliate networks, including NBC Sports, MSNBC, and CNBC, will broadcast events throughout the day, and all events can be live-streamed by cable subscribers at nbcolympics.com.
You don’t want to miss:
Women's slalom
The US hasn't won a medal in slalom in 30 years, and World Cup champion Mikaela Shiffrin is its best hope to end this drought in Sochi. But, having placed sixth in the giant slalom event earlier this week, she's up against equally tough competition today. Another medal favorite is Slovenian Tina Maze, on a quest to notch her third Olympic gold after winning the giant slalom event and tying for first place in the downhill race. Also competing is Maria Hoefl-Riesch of Germany, the defending slalom gold medalist from Vancouver who has two Sochi medals of her own.
This event will be broadcast on NBC primetime.
Men’s hockey
United States will face off with Canada today for a chance to advance to the final on Sunday, where the gold medal will be decided. The game will mark the latest chapter in the historic US-Canada hockey rivalry. The United States lost to Canada in the previous Winter Games in 2004 and 2010, with Canada proceeding to win the Olympic golds both times. This time, however, Team USA “are the favorites in the sense that they are playing the best hockey of any of the four remaining teams, and have done so against the best competition,” said ESPN.com.
Today’s losing team will compete in the bronze-medal match tomorrow against either Sweden or Finland – the two other teams playing a semifinal match today.
This game will be broadcast at noon and again at 5 p.m. EST on NBC Sports Network.
Short track speed skating
Friday brings to an end short track events on the skating rink with three finals: men's 500-meters, women's 1,000-meters, and men's relay. American skater J. R. Celski will attempt to offset at least some of the disappointment the US skaters have faced at these Games during the men’s short-track race. In the women’s 1,000-meter race, US skaters Emily Scott and Jessica Smith advanced to the quarterfinals. But they face tough competition in the finals, including from Li Jianrou of China who is a strong favorite after placing first in the 500-meter event last week.
These events will be broadcast on NBC primetime.
Women's ski cross
French skiers are out to try repeating the country’s surprise sweep of the ski cross podium in the men’s event yesterday. Four French women will race for a chance at the gold medal, but two Canadian athletes, Kelsey Serwa and Marielle Thompson, are close on their heels. No Americans will be competing in the final round of the race.
This event will be broadcast on NBC at 3 p.m. EST.
What else is on:
NBC 3 - 5 p.m. EST: Freestyle Skiing (Women's Ski Cross), Biathlon (Women's Relay)
NBC 8 p.m. EST: Alpine Skiing (Women's Slalom), Short Track (Men's 500m, Men's Relay, Women's 1000m), Speed Skating (Men's Team Pursuit)
NBC 12:30 a.m. EST: Speed Skating (Women's Team Pursuit)
NBC Sports Network 3 p.m. EST: Men's ice hockey (Sweden vs. Finland)
