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Beijing Hockey Tournament: Canada and Russia Lead the Pack

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, February 13th 2026 at 1:48 GMT by Sporting News
      Locales: UNITED STATES, CANADA, SWITZERLAND, CZECH REPUBLIC, DENMARK, FINLAND, LATVIA, NORWAY, SWEDEN, SLOVAKIA (Slovak Republic)

Beijing, China - February 13th, 2026 - The ice is flying and the competition is fierce as the 2026 Winter Olympic hockey tournament in Beijing continues to captivate audiences worldwide. As we reach the mid-point of the games (February 8th - 22nd), clear contenders are emerging, and some pre-tournament favorites are facing unexpected challenges. This report provides an updated overview of the standings, key results, and a look ahead at the playoff picture.

Men's Tournament: Canada Maintaining Dominance, Russia Showing Strength

The Men's tournament has largely unfolded as many predicted, with Canada consistently performing at a high level. After a strong opening victory against Switzerland on February 8th, Canada has continued to dominate Group A, showcasing a blend of veteran leadership and exciting young talent. Their offensive firepower, combined with solid goaltending, has made them the team to beat. However, Switzerland, currently sitting in second place in Group A, is proving a worthy opponent, displaying impressive defensive capabilities and opportunistic scoring.

Group B is shaping up to be a tightly contested battle. The USA, despite a shaky start, has found its rhythm, securing crucial wins against Sweden and Slovakia. Sweden, traditionally a hockey powerhouse, appears slightly vulnerable, struggling to consistently generate offense. Russia, in Group C, is living up to expectations, demonstrating a powerful and well-rounded game. Their victory over Latvia on February 9th was a statement of intent, and they are widely considered Canada's biggest threat for the gold medal.

An upset is brewing in Group D. While Russia was widely expected to win this group, Japan is proving a much tougher competitor than anticipated, forcing Russia into a tight 3-2 battle. Denmark and Japan are battling hard for the last qualification spot.

Women's Tournament: USA Closing the Gap on Canada, Asian Teams Making Strides

The Women's tournament is proving to be equally exciting, with the perennial rivalry between Canada and the USA taking center stage. Canada, after an initial win over Switzerland, continues to lead the way, demonstrating their dominance in the women's game. However, the USA is closing the gap, with a particularly strong showing against Japan. Their offensive depth and aggressive forecheck are making them a formidable opponent.

Sweden and China are battling for the second qualifying spot in Group A. China's home-ice advantage is clearly boosting their performance, but Sweden's experience and skill are making it a close race.

Group B is also highly competitive, with Japan and Czechia providing a stiff challenge to the USA. Korea's performance has been commendable, showing the growing strength of Asian women's hockey. The game between Finland and Russia on February 9th highlighted the tactical prowess of both teams, with Finland narrowly edging out a victory.

Denmark and Austria, while facing an uphill battle in Group C, are showing resilience and determination, demonstrating the increasing global competitiveness of women's hockey.

Key Results (As of February 13th, 2026):

• Men's: Canada 4 - Switzerland 1, USA 3 - Sweden 2, Finland 5 - Czechia 3, Russia 3 - Latvia 2, Canada 6 - Kazakhstan 1
• Women's: Canada 5 - Switzerland 2, USA 4 - Japan 1, Finland 3 - Russia 2, Denmark 0 - Austria 4, USA 6 - Czechia 1

Updated Standings (As of February 13th, 2026):

Men's 1. Canada (6 Points) 2. Russia (6 Points) 3. Switzerland (3 Points) 4. USA (3 Points)

Women's 1. Canada (6 Points) 2. USA (6 Points) 3. Finland (3 Points) 4. China (3 Points)

Looking Ahead: Playoff Picture and Potential Upsets

The next few days will be crucial as teams battle for playoff positioning. The quarter-finals promise to be thrilling, with several potential upsets on the horizon. Keep an eye on Japan in the Men's tournament and Korea in the Women's - their determination and improving skills could see them challenge established hockey nations. The broadcast details, while still being finalized, will be announced on local listings and through official Olympic channels. Fans can expect comprehensive coverage, including live streaming and in-depth analysis, to follow all the action from Beijing.