Winter Olympics: USA and Canada both knocked out of men's ice hockey quarter-finals

USA and Canada were both knocked out of the men's ice hockey on day 12 of the Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Both are without their big-name players from the National Hockey League (NHL) but remained among the favourites.

The US conceded a last-minute equaliser and then lost a shootout in a shock quarter-final defeat by Slovakia.

Canada, the most successful team in Olympic ice hockey, were beaten 2-0 by Sweden meaning they will miss out on a medal for the first time since 2006.

They conceded twice in the final 10 minutes against the Swedes, who progress to play the favourites the Russian Olympic Committee, in the semi-finals, after the defending champions beat Denmark 3-1.

In the other semi-final Slovakia will play Finland, who beat Switzerland 5-1.

After the NHL opted to withdraw players in December because of Covid delays to its season, the US named its youngest squad for an Olympics since 1994, including 15 college students.

However, they progressed unbeaten through the group stage in Beijing, raising hope of a first win since 1980.

But with 44 seconds left in normal time, Slovakia captain Marek Hrivik equalised, making the score 2-2, before a goalless overtime period.

The US missed all five attempts in the shootout, Slovak goalkeeper Patrik Rybar impressing, and Peter Cehlarik's strike for Slovakia, the only successful penalty, proved crucial.

In the women's bronze medal match, Finland matched their 2018 bronze with a commanding 4-0 win over Switzerland.

• GB medal wait goes on as Dave Ryding finishes 13th in slalom

Hall wins slopestyle in US one-two

But there was better success for USA in the freestyle skiing as Alexander Hall won gold in the men's slopestyle in an American one-two on the podium.

An opening run score of 90.01 was enough to earn the 23-year-old victory ahead of compatriot Nicholas Goepper.

Goepper posted 86.48 on his second run to take silver, as Sweden's Jesper Tjader finished in bronze with 85.35.

Britain's James Woods, fourth at the 2018 Games, pulled out of qualification on Tuesday with a back injury.

Hall, who failed to qualify for the final at his first Games in 2018, completed his gold medal-winning first run with an innovative double 1080 pretzel.

"It definitely was the best slopestyle run I've ever done, mainly because it embodied everything I love about skiing and how I approach skiing," said Hall.

"I'm really glad the creativity was able to shine through and that got rewarded," he added. "I figured I would just give it my all and go all-in right away."

Oberg sisters help Sweden to biathlon gold

Sweden's women improved on their 2018 biathlon relay silver medal as they claimed gold in Zhangjiakou.

The quartet of Linn Persson, Mona Brorsson, 2018 individual champion Hanna Oberg and, on the anchor leg, her younger sister Elvira, won in a time of one hour 11 minutes 03.9 seconds.

That saw them cross the line 12 seconds clear of the ROC, while Germany finished in bronze position at 37.4 seconds back.

It is a third medal and first gold for 22-year-old Swede Elvira on her Olympic debut, following silvers in both the sprint and pursuit events.

There was also a silver for defending champions Sweden in the freestyle skiing's women's team sprint classic, as Germany took the gold.

Germans Katharina Hennig and Victoria Carl edged a close finish by 0.17 seconds from Swedes Maja Dahlqvist and Jonna Sundling, as ROC pair Yulia Stupak and Natalia Nepryaeva clinched bronze.

Host nation China won their seventh gold of the Games as Qi Guangpu triumphed in the freestyle skiing's men's aerials competition.

Qi scored 129.00 on his final jump to beat Ukraine's defending champion Oleksandr Abramenko, with ROC athlete Ilia Burov matching his 2018 bronze.

Min-jeong defends title as Hamelin bows out with gold

Meanwhile, the final day of short track speed skating action delivered gold medals for the Republic of Korea and Canada.

Defending champion and world record holder Choi Min-jeong prevailed in the women's 1500m final.

The 23-year-old South Korean, who clocked an Olympic record time of two minutes 16.831 seconds in the semi-finals, won in 2:17.789.

It is a third medal at the 2022 Games for Min-jeong following silver in the 1000m and 3000m relay - and a third Olympic gold of her career.

Italy's 500m champion Arianna Fontana claimed the silver medal, becoming the most decorated Olympic short track speed skater with her 11th medal.

Just 0.003 seconds behind was the Netherlands' 1000m gold medallist Suzanne Schulting, to clinch her fourth medal in Beijing.

Competing at his fifth and final Olympic games, 37-year-old Charles Hamelin won his fourth gold and sixth Olympic medal in all as Canada's men won the 5000m relay.

Along with team-mates Steven Dubois, Jordan Pierre-Gilles and Pascal Dion, the Canadians posted a time of six minutes 41.257 seconds to hold off Korea. Italy took bronze in a photo finish with the ROC.

Norway lead the medal table with 13 golds and 28 medals in total - ahead of Germany, USA and host nation China

• What happened to Shergar? A prize-winning super horse is kidnapped from an enigmatic owner

• Is this a new alternative to dating apps? Find out the unusual way one man is going about finding his perfect other half