A norovirus has disrupted the early stages of the Olympic women's hockey tournament(Image: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The Finland women's hockey team's initial game against Canada, scheduled for Thursday, has been postponed due to a stomach virus that has significantly reduced the Finnish team's roster. The game has been rescheduled for Feb. 12.
The decision to delay the game was made shortly after Finland finished its early afternoon practice with only eight skaters and two goalies present. The remaining 13 players are either quarantined or isolated due to a norovirus that began affecting the Olympic team on Tuesday night.
This postponement gives Finland an additional two days of rest before they face off against the U.S. on Saturday. If their game against Canada had not been delayed, Finnish officials were contemplating a potential forfeiture. The Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony is set for Friday.
"While all stakeholders recognize 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," announced Olympic officials.
"All stakeholders thank teams, partners and fans for their cooperation and understanding, and look forward to the rescheduled game being played under safe and appropriate conditions."
Finland will now open play against the United States(Image: Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)
Team Finland officials had already begun considering the possibility of not participating before the game was officially postponed.
Coach Tero Lehterä expressed concerns about the fairness of asking his ten currently healthy players to compete in a full game. Lehterä also mentioned the need to consider the risk of infecting Canadian opponents.
"Most of them are getting better but not healthy enough to play. And there's the chance that if we would play it could influence Team Canada and their health as well," Lehterä said following practice.
"But I couldn't risk my players if they were ill yesterday to play tonight because that would be wrong against the individual," he added.
Lehterä revealed the illness first emerged on Tuesday night – following a full team practice held earlier that day.
The rescheduled match lands on the second of two back-to-back rest days during the women's competition, just one day before the quarterfinal round begins.
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