Canada's hockey women delivered the first half of what the host nation hopes will be a gold medal double when they beat the USA 2-0 at Canada Hockey Place on day 14 of the Vancouver Games.
Marie-Philip Poulin scored twice in the first period to put Canada firmly in command and, roared on to victory by an esctatic Canada Hockey Place crowd, it never looked in danger of surrender its lead.
There were jubilant scenes at the end as Canada celebrated its eighth gold of the Games and looked forward to another golden moment from the men's team which is in semi-final action on Friday.
The USA had beaten Canada in the last two World Championship finals making an Olympic gold on home soil against its southern neighbours all the sweeter.
Koralina Rantamaki's overtime goal gave Finland the bronze medal in the women's ice hockey at Canada Hockey Place.
The teams were level at 2-2 at the end of the third period but Rantamaki tucked home from close range two minutes and 33 seconds into overtime to secure a 3-2 win.
Heidi Pelttari fired Finland ahead, Maria Rooth levelled for the Swedes and Michelle Karvinen restored the Finns' lead in a busy second period.
Danijela Rundqvist scored in the third period to bring the Swedes level but Rantamaki had the last word.
Germany's Viktoria Rebensburg was stunned by her surprise gold in the women's giant slalom gold medal at a foggy Whistler Creekside.
Rebensburg, 20, was lying sixth after the first run but grabbed the lead after completing her second run in one minute, 11.64 seconds for a combined time of 2mins, 27.11secs.
"Unbelievable," said a shocked Rebensburg. "I don't know what to say. I think I have to celebrate."
Slovenia's Tina Maze bagged another silver medal to add to her earlier one in the Super-G. She was 0.12 seconds behind after a second run of 1:11.76.
Elisabeth Goergl of Austria, leading after the first run, had to settle for another bronze to match the one she won in the downhill after a second run of 1:12.13 gave her a combined time of 2:27.25.
Defending champion Julia Mancuso skied a quick second run - 1:11.24 - but had too much ground to make up after her first run and was back in eighth place.
In the men's curling semi-finals Canada, skipped by Kevin Martin, beat Sweden 6-3 to set up a final with Norway which edged past Switzerland 7-5.
Earlier Sweden, skipped by Anette Norberg, booked its place in the women's curling final with a 9-4 victory over China.
Host nation Canada, skipped by Cheryl Bernard, delighted the Vancouver Olympic Centre crowd by joining the Swedes in Friday's final by edging out Switzerland 6-5 in their semi-final.
Norway claimed its sixth gold of the Games in the cross country skiing 4x5km relay classic. Vibeke Skofterund, Therese Johaug, Kristin Stoermer Steira and Marit Bjoergen were the winning quartet with Germany claiming silver and Finland the bronze.
The USA struck gold and silver through Bill Demong and Johnny Spillane respectively in the Nordic combined individual event.
The bronze medal went to Austrian Bernhard Gruber, who led after the ski jumping phase but was overhauled by the American pair on the 10km cross country run.