2:30 p.m.

With Canada already into the semifinals thanks in large part to a 28-goals-in-two-games offensive effort, its biggest challenge for the gold medal, the United States, looks to book its own final four spot when it takes on the Russians. The Americans have slid down the Olympic podium since winning the inaugural women’s hockey gold medal in 1998, losing to Canada in the gold medal game in 2002 to take silver and suffering a shocking semifinal loss to Sweden in 2006 before ending up with bronze.

4:30 p.m.

The countdown that began almost at the moment Vancouver was awarded the Games in 2003 finally comes to an end as Canada’s Men’s Olympic Team hits the ice at Canada Hockey Place and takes on the Norwegians in front what will be a red, white and loud capacity crowd. The Canadians are looking to do something only the United States – in 19 – have ever done: win Olympic hockey gold on home ice. Vancouver fan favourite Roberto Luongo will get the start in the Canadian goal.

7 p.m.

Will there be another Canadian moment to celebrate when medals are handed out live at B.C. Place, and on the big screens at Molson Canadian Hockey House? Will it come from the slopes at Whistler? How about on the ice at the Richmond Olympic Oval?

7:45 p.m.

Veteran broadcaster and hockey geek extraordinaire Christine Simpson sits down for intimate, 1-on-1 interviews with all the hockey greats who will be visiting Vancouver for the Games, plus surprise guests and celebrities. You never know who's going to show up at Centre Ice!

All Day

Throughout the Games, various Team Canada alumni will be making appearances at Molson Canadian Hockey House. Here’s who is going to be on hand today:

Russ Courtnall

A name familiar to Vancouver and B.C. hockey fans, Courtnall played 141 games with the Canucks, one of six stops in a 15-year NHL career. The Vancouver Island native was a frequent contributor to the Team Canada cause, including at the 1984 Olympic Winter Games, where he helped the Canadians to a fourth-place finish. Courtnall also wore red and white at the 1984 IIHF World Junior Championship (another fourth place), 1991 IIHF World Championship (silver) and 1991 Canada Cup, where he helped the Canadians win the tournament title.

Denis Potvin

The longtime captain of the New York Islanders, Potvin led the Islanders to the Stanley Cup in each of his first four seasons with the ‘C’ on his chest and never missed the playoffs while captain. Potvin wore the maple leaf on three occasions, winning the 1976 Canada Cup, finishing second at the same event in 1981 and earning bronze at the 1986 IIHF World Championship. A three-time Norris Trophy winner, Potvin was enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1991.

Stan Smyl

A Vancouver hockey icon, ‘The Steamer’ was the first Canuck to have his number retired by the team, and he still works with the Canucks as a senior advisor to the general manager. His Team Canada career included the 1978 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he won a bronze medal on a team led by a 16-year-old Wayne Gretzky, and the 1985 IIHF World Championship, where he won silver.