Winter Olympics Day 12 Betting Heat – Upsets, Golds & Hot Markets
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Key Takeaways:
- USA's clutch OT win over Sweden has shifted men's hockey odds, with Canada now firm gold favorites at around -135.
- Mikaela Shiffrin's dominant slalom gold crushed her -185 pre-race price, delivering a big payout for backers.
- Short track delivered thrills as Canada's Steven Dubois grabbed 500m gold, boosting interest in speed skating props and relays.
Ice Hockey Quarterfinals: OT Thrillers Shake Up the Board
Day 12 brought pure edge-of-your-seat action in men's ice hockey. Quinn Hughes buried the OT winner for Team USA to edge Sweden 2-1, setting up a semifinal clash with Slovakia. The game flipped late when Mika Zibanejad tied it for Sweden, but Hughes sealed it in extra time. Canada also survived a scare, beating Czechia 4-3 in OT on Mitch Marner's heroics after Nick Suzuki's late equalizer.
These results lit up winter olympics betting markets big time. Hockey remains the top wagering draw at these Games, with NHL talent driving massive handle. Canada's path to the final looks smoother now, tightening their gold medal odds to around -135 on major books like 1xBet. USA sits as value at +230, while Sweden's exit cooled their +1100 futures. Punters who faded the chalk in quarters cashed nice tickets on those tight spreads and overs.
Shiffrin’s Slalom Masterclass Pays Off Huge
Mikaela Shiffrin finally snapped her Olympic gold drought with a commanding win in women's alpine slalom at Tofane. She built a solid lead in run one and sealed it by 1.50 seconds over Switzerland's Camille Rast. This was her third career Winter Games gold and a statement performance after recent struggles.
For bettors, this was textbook chalk hitting. Shiffrin opened around -170 to -185 pre-race, and sharp money rode her to victory. Alpine skiing always draws heavy action on stars like her, and this result boosted overall skier props and medal markets. It highlights why individual events offer solid edges – form, course setup and pressure play huge roles. Shiffrin's win keeps USA competitive in the medal hunt, with Norway still leading most golds futures at -155 to -170.
Short Track & Snowboard Surprises Fuel Live Betting
Canada's Steven Dubois dominated the men's short track 500m final in the Milano Cortina Olympics 2026, holding off the Dutch brothers Melle and Jens van 't Wout for gold in a clean, dramatic sprint. Korea reclaimed women's 3000m relay gold, while Japan's Mari Fukada stunned in women's snowboard slopestyle on debut.
These fast-paced events are betting magnets for live wagering – upsets happen in heats, and momentum shifts quick. Dubois' win paid out nicely for those on Canada in speed skating markets, and short track relays see big volume due to crashes and disqualifications. Curling's also exploding in popularity, splitting handle with hockey and pulling seven-figure action at some books thanks to its quirky strategy and drama.
What’s Next: Semis & Figure Skating in the Spotlight
Day 13 ramps up with men's hockey semis (Canada vs Finland, USA vs Slovakia), women's figure skating free skate, and more freestyle aerials. Figure skating props and hockey moneylines will dominate books, especially with high-profile names like Auston Matthews in MVP chatter at +1400. Live betting on these should see spikes as the Games wind down.
Milano Cortina 2026 keeps delivering for punters, from hockey heart-stoppers to star turns. With Norway favored for most golds but USA and Canada lurking, late surges could create value across futures.
