Canada’s highly anticipated women’s hockey match against Finland at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics has been postponed due to a norovirus outbreak affecting the Finnish team. The preliminary-round game, originally set for Thursday, will now take place on February 12 at the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena.
Decision to Postpone the Match
An official statement released by the International Olympic Committee, the International Ice Hockey Federation, and the local organizing committee confirmed that the postponement was made after consulting with medical experts. The health and safety of players, staff, officials, and all tournament participants prompted this collective decision.
“While there is disappointment regarding the schedule change, prioritizing health was essential,” noted the joint statement. This decision aligns with the Olympic spirit and maintains the integrity of the competition.
Impact on Team Finland
The postponement comes after Finland’s practice session, where only eight skaters and two goalies participated. The rest of the team—13 players—are either quarantined or in isolation due to illness symptoms that started to affect the squad on Tuesday night.
This delay ultimately offers Finland an additional two days of rest before their upcoming match against the United States on Saturday. Initially, Finnish officials had considered forfeiting the game if it had not been rescheduled.
Upcoming Matches
Canada’s women’s hockey team, the defending Olympic champions, has a busy schedule ahead. They will face Switzerland on Saturday, followed by matches against Czechia on Monday and their fierce rivals, the United States, on Tuesday. Their rescheduled encounter with Finland will take place after these games.
Experience with Disruptions
The Canadian team, composed of several seasoned players, has faced disruptions before in Olympic competition. A notable incident occurred during the 2022 Olympics in Beijing when a game against Russia was delayed due to testing issues with the Russian team. Notably, both teams had to wear masks during that match as a precautionary measure.
- Postponed Match: Canada vs. Finland
- New Date: February 12
- Venue: Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena
- Impact on Finland: 13 players in quarantine
- Upcoming Canada Matches:
- Switzerland – Saturday
- Czechia – Monday
- United States – Tuesday
As the teams adapt to these changes, the focus remains on ensuring the health and safety of all participants during this unprecedented situation at the Winter Olympics.
