The Canadian women’s hockey team will have to wait to play its first game at the Winter Olympics.
Canada’s game against Finland scheduled for Thursday has been postponed because of norovirus cases affecting the Finnish team, Milano Cortina 2026 announced.
The game will now be played Feb. 12. Quarterfinals are scheduled for Feb. 13.
Most of them are getting better, but not healthy enough to play,” Finnish coach Tero Lehterä said before the decision was announced. “There’s the chance that if I would play, it would influence Team Canada and their health as well. I couldn’t risk my players if they were ill yesterday to play tonight.”
Finland practised with just eight skaters and two goaltenders Thursday before the postponement was announced. Finnish Ice Hockey Association spokesperson Henna Malmberg said the remaining 13 players are either infected or in quarantine.
“While all stakeholders recognise the disappointment of not playing the game as originally scheduled, this was a responsible and necessary decision that reflects the spirit of the Olympic Games and the integrity of the competition,” Milano Cortina 2026 said in a statement.
Canada’s opener will now be Saturday against Switzerland.
Lehterä admitted practice was far from ideal with so few players.
“Can’t really even run a five-on-four power play,” he said.
The coach then was asked if he’s ever played a game with 10 players.
“Beer league game, yes.”
— With files from The Associated Press
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