Stephen Gogolev delivered one of the best performances of his life at just the right time for Canada.
The Toronto native scored 92.99 points in the men’s short program of the team event to propel Canada into the five-team final at the Winter Olympics.
Canada sat fifth heading into the fourth and final discipline of the opening round — the men’s short — and ended up fourth after Gogolev was third among men.
The Canadians, with 27 points, are just one point behind Italy for third. Points carry over to the final. The U.S. leads with 34 points, while Japan is second with 33 after Yumi Kagiyama beat out American star Ilia Malinin in the men’s short.
Gogolev, 21, was making his Olympic debut after earning Canada’s lone men’s singles spot by winning the national championship last month.
Madeline Schizas (women’s singles), Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud (pairs) and Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier (ice dance) also skated in the opening round for Canada on Friday.
Five of 10 teams were eliminated after the opening round.
The final begins with the ice dance free skate later Saturday (CBC Gem, Sportsnet+, 4:05 p.m. ET / 1:05 p.m. PT). The final three disciplines are Sunday.
