BEIJING, China — KARE 11 is following dozens of athletes with Minnesota connections going for gold at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China. Each weekday during the games, we'll update this article with a closer look at the biggest Minnesota Athlete Moments at the games.
FRIDAY, FEB. 18
Minnesota native John Shuster and the U.S. men's curling team's bid for a medal were dashed by Team Canada, who defeated Team USA 8-5 in the bronze medal match.
THURSDAY, Feb. 17
Former University of Minnesota standout Amanda Kessel scored for Team USA in the closing seconds of the third period, but Canada was able to escape with a 3-2 victory to thwart the U.S. women's bid for a second consecutive gold medal at the Winter Olympics. Team USA did take silver after earning a spot in the championship game for the fourth straight time.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 16
Team USA was eliminated from Olympic competition after losing to Slovakia in a shootout. It's the second straight time the Americans failed to reach the medal round at the Winter Olympics.
TUESDAY, FEB. 15
U.S. Women's Curling is currently in a three-way tie for third place at the Olympics.
MONDAY, FEB. 14
We're spotlighting the U.S. women's hockey team. They beat Finland 4-1 to face arch rival Canada in the gold medal match Wednesday at 10 p.m.
FRIDAY, FEB. 11
Roseville native and former University of Minnesota women’s hockey player Lee Stecklein found the back of the net in the third period to help lift Team USA to a 4-1 win over the Czech Republic. With the win, the U.S. advances to the semifinals.
THURSDAY, FEB. 10
Minnesota native Noah Cates scored a goal in the second period to help lead the U.S. men's hockey team to an 8-0 win over China in their first game at the Winter Olympics. Team USA will face Team Canada on Friday.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 9
John Shuster of the U.S. men's curling team delivered the shot that helped secured a 6-5 win over Russia. They now move on to face Sweden. Shuster is a five-time Olympian, and two-time Olympic medalist.
TUESDAY, FEB. 8
Jessie Diggins earned her first Olympic individual medal, bronze, in the women's cross country individual sprint final. She is the first U.S. woman to win an Olympic medal in an individual cross country skiing event. The victory adds to the gold medal she received in the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang.
MONDAY, FEB. 7
Prior Lake's Paula Moltzan finished 12th in the women's giant slalom late Sunday night. The 27-year-old is competing in her first Olympics and will also take part in the women's slalom on Tuesday.
MORE MINNESOTANS TO WATCH AT THE WINTER OLYMPICS:
Cross-Country Skiing
Jessie Diggins won a gold medal in team sprint freestyle in 2018's Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang. She's scheduled to ski again early Tuesday morning (Minnesota time) in the women's individual sprint, with qualifying runs starting at 2 a.m. CT.
Biathlon
Three Minnesota biathletes are scheduled to compete on Tuesday morning (Minnesota time) in the men's 20km individual biathlon. Jake Brown, Leif Nordgren and Paul Schommer will be among the Americans vying for a medal when competition begins at 2:30 a.m. CST.
Women's Hockey
The U.S. women's hockey team features nine athletes who were born in Minnesota, or went to college here. Team USA is set to face Canada as the preliminary rounds continue on Monday night.
Meet more of the Minnesota athletes competing for Team USA: