The Finland women’s hockey team was scheduled to face off against Canada in its Olympic opener on Thursday, but a rampant virus outbreak forced a postponement.
Finland’s roster is severely depleted due to a norovirus that began spreading throughout the team on Tuesday night. The decision to postpone Thursday’s game came after the team completed its early afternoon practice session with just eight skaters and two goalies.
The team’s remaining 13 players are in either quarantine or isolation.
Finland will now take the ice against Canada on Thursday, Feb. 12. Because of this postponement, the Finnish squad now has two extra days of rest before facing off against Team USA on Saturday.
“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,” Olympic officials announced on Thursday. “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.”
Before the game was postponed, Finnish officials were considering a forfeiture.
“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,” coach Tero Lehterä said. “But I couldn’t risk my players if they were ill yesterday to play tonight because that would be wrong against the individual.”
Lehterä is keeping a positive attitude despite these unfortunate circumstances to kick off the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan.
“It might become a strength. I got to think positive,” Lehterä said. “We might be stronger when we come out of this. You never know.”
“Some things might happen, you never know what happens, and you only worry about the things that we can affect,” he added. “And this is not something we can do anything about it. We have no say whether we play or not. It’s not up to us. When we’re told to show up, we show up. Whether it’s five, six, seven, 15 or 20 [players].”
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