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1. Kim Yu-Na's coronation
The South Korean world champion came into the free skate with a commanding lead, then proceeded to obliterate any shred of doubt with a record-setting performance. Meanwhile, Canada's Joannie Rochette claimed bronze, Canada's first medal in ladies' singles since 1988, despite the devastating emotional strain of her mother's death on Sunday.
2. Canada's brick wall
On Thursday, the American and Canadian women's hockey teams met in the gold medal game for the third time at the Winter Games, with Canada claiming its third consecutive Olympic title to complete a truly dominant tournament. Team Canada ends its Olympic run having outscored opponents 48-2 after a 2-0 win over the U.S. Meanwhile, Team USA outscored opponents 40-4 and held the powerhouse Canadian team to just two goals, but couldn't break through against an unrelenting defense.
3. Billy D. and J-Bone's big day
The U.S. had already reached a landmark in Vancouver with its first Olympic medal in Nordic combined. Ditto its first medal in the team event. And on Thursday, in the final event on the Nordic combined program, Bill Demong crossed off one last missing tally: the first American Olympic Nordic combined gold. Finishing just behind him was Johnny Spillane (a.k.a. "J-Bone"), who completes his standout Vancouver run with three silver medals.
4. The curling gauntlet
No nation has ever swept the men's and women's tournaments since curling was added to the Olympic program in 1998, but both Canadian rinks have now reached the gold medal game in Vancouver after winning in the semifinals on Thursday.
5. Grishin's long wait, Speedy's loud silver
On Thursday night at Cypress Mountain, Alexei Grishin of Belarus - competing at his fourth Winter Games - got his first career Olympic gold. But he was very nearly overshadowed by the storm brought on by Jeret 'Speedy' Peterson, who successfully uncorked his signature "Hurricane" en route to silver.
