Finland-Canada Women’s Hockey Opener Postponed Due to Illness

The opening game between the Finland Women’s Hockey Team and the Canada Women’s Hockey Team, originally scheduled for February 8, 2024, has been postponed due to a stomach virus affecting the Finnish roster. The match will now take place on February 12, 2024. The decision to delay the game was made after Finland’s practice session revealed only eight skaters and two goalies available for play.

The outbreak of norovirus began impacting the Finnish team on the evening of February 6, leading to 13 players being placed in quarantine or isolation. This situation prompted Finnish officials to consider a possible forfeit had the game proceeded as planned. Fortunately for Finland, the postponement allows the team an extra two days of rest before facing the United States on February 10.

Olympic officials released a statement acknowledging the disappointment surrounding the change in schedule but emphasized that the decision was made to ensure the safety and integrity of the competition. “This was a responsible and necessary decision that reflects the spirit of the Olympic Games,” the statement read. It also expressed gratitude to teams, partners, and fans for their understanding.

Finland’s head coach, Tero Lehtelä, noted the challenges posed by the illness, stating that fielding only ten healthy players would have been unfair. He raised concerns about the potential risk to the Canadian team as well, saying, “If we would play it could influence Team Canada and their health as well.” Lehtelä observed that while some players were recovering, they were not yet fit to compete fully.

The illness first manifested on the evening of February 6, following a full practice session earlier that day. The rescheduled game will occur on a day designated as an off-day during the women’s tournament, just before the quarterfinals begin. Finland has a storied history in Olympic women’s hockey, having secured the bronze medal four times, including at the 2022 Beijing Games, and also winning bronze at the last two women’s world championships.

As the situation develops, both teams and their supporters look forward to a safe and competitive match on February 12.