More skicross medals may be on the horizon for Canucks

PYEONGCHANG — Canada could capture more skicross gold at the Winter Olympics on Friday. Here are some events to watch for:

• Bring on the Germans — Team Canada will try for a third straight trip to the Olympic men’s hockey gold-medal game Friday when it takes on Germany in the semifinals. Canada beat Finland 1-0 on Wednesday to advance, while the Germans defeated Sweden 4-3 in overtime. Canada won the last two Olympic tournaments, but this time they don’t have a team stocked with top NHL talent. So far they have managed to get by with solid goaltending and hard work from a roster of mostly Europeanbased players.

• Podium position — Canadian figure skater Kaetlyn Osmond has a medal within her grasp heading into the women’s long program. The reigning world silver medallist from Marystown, N.L., had a personal-best score of 78.87 points in the short program to finish third behind Russians Alina Zagitova and Evgenia Medvedeva. Gabrielle Daleman of Newmarket, Ont., sits seventh.

• Dual threat — Marielle Thompson of Whistler, B.C., has looked strong in training and is feeling confident as she aims to defend her Olympic title in women’s skicross. She’s coming back from knee surgery after torn ligaments. Kelsey Serwa of Kelowna, B.C., a silver medallist in Sochi four years ago, is also a threat. They’ll have plenty of inspiration from their teammate Brady Leman, who won gold in men’s skicross Wednesday.