Each day throughout the Winter Olympics, we'll bring you a daily rundown on what to expect and a look at key story lines in Sochi.

What to watch today, Thursday, Feb. 20

While you were sleeping (spoilers):

It has been a quiet morning in Sochi for results thus far on Thursday. France swept the podium in the men’s ski cross freestyle finals, with Jean Frederic Chapuis, Arnaud Bovolenta, and Jonathan Midol taking the top three spots. It was the country’s first-ever sweep at the Winter Olympics.

The US’s John Teller, considered the country’s best shot at placing, did not make it into the quarterfinals of the event. The ski cross can be seen as part of NBC’s primetime package Thursday night.

Norway won the Nordic combined, followed by Germany and Austria. The US placed sixth in the competition.

Medal watch:

It’s all about US-Canada hockey the next two days. The men will square off Friday at noon in the semifinal game, a rematch of 2010’s epic gold medal showdown in Vancouver. On Thursday, the women face off for the second time in two weeks in the gold medal game (Noon, NBC). The US’s lone loss of these Olympics came at the hands of the undefeated Canadians last week. The bronze medal game pits Sweden against Switzerland (7:30 a.m., NBC Sports Network).

Canada is also going for gold in the women’s curling final (tape delay, 5 p.m., CNBC). Great Britain beat Switzerland, 6-5, earlier in the day for the bronze medal.

In Thursday’s free skate, Americans Ashley Wagner and Gracie Gold are both in good positions for figure skating medals. Wagner, Gold, and Polina Edmunds all sit in the top seven after the short program (10 a.m., NBCSN). The ladies’ ski halfpipe finals will also take place, with Americans Brita Sigourney, Maddie Bowman, Andover’s Annalisa Drew, and Angeli Vanlaanen among the competitors (NBC primetime).

Tweets from the athletes:

US skier Ted Ligety after winning gold in Wednesday’s giant slalom:

Having a memorable chat with Bob Costas @NBCOlympics. http://t.co/UddueMcAnR

— Ted Ligety (@tedligety) February 19, 2014

Bobsledder Elana Meyers, who won silver Wednesday.

Silver medal! Thanks to everyone who supported is the whole way through! As Lauryn says- we couldn't… http://t.co/ArSGFxZ9Rl

— Elana Meyers (@eamslider24) February 20, 2014

Gracie Gold after her short program:

I can't believe I just competed at the Olympics!!!!! It was a dream come true ❤️🇺🇸⭐️ #Sochi2014

— Gracie Gold (@GraceEGold) February 19, 2014

Meanwhile, Ashley Wagner seemed to have found a crush:

Oh you know just hanging out and creepin hardcore on Ashton Kutcher's Olympic twin..#Sochi2014 pic.twitter.com/BZVVsDrx6H

— Ashley Wagner (@AshWagner2010) February 19, 2014

Hilary Knight (Boston Blades) looking forward to the gold medal game:

Thank you everyone for your support. Eagerly anticipating the puck drop! Can't wait for the #goldmedal game! #teamUSA

— Hilary Knight (@Hilary_Knight) February 19, 2014

Photo of the day:

The Sochi bear, not reacting well to Russia’s loss to Finland:

The #Sochi2014 Bear isn't taking Russia's hockey loss well Shake it off. Lipnitskaya skates soon! (via @Sochi2014) pic.twitter.com/3vGwsGtVJh

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) February 19, 2014