Finnish Women’s Hockey Game Postponed

MILAN – The Finnish women’s hockey team’s first preliminary match against Canada, scheduled for Thursday, has been postponed due to a stomach virus affecting many players.

The match is now set for February 12th.

This decision came soon after Finland’s early practice, which saw only eight skaters and two goalies present. The remaining 13 players are in isolation due to the norovirus, which began impacting the team on Tuesday night.

This delay will grant Finland a couple of extra days to recover before facing the United States on Saturday. Without postponing the game, Finnish officials were contemplating a potential forfeiture.

In a statement, Olympic officials highlighted the disappointment surrounding the rescheduling but emphasized the importance of making a responsible choice that adheres to the spirit of competition.

They expressed gratitude to teams, partners, and fans for understanding, and hope the games can take place under safer conditions.

Even before the postponement, Finnish officials were weighing their options on whether to compete. Coach Tero Lehtera mentioned it might be unfair to ask the available healthy players to take on a full game. He also noted a concern that their Canadian rivals could be at risk as well.

“Most of them are improving, but they’re not at a level where they can play. Even if we do play, it could impact Team Canada too,” Lehtera said post-practice.

He added, “Playing with players who just recovered wouldn’t be right.”

The first signs of illness appeared after a full practice Tuesday evening.

This postponed game will now take place on an off day during the women’s tournament, just prior to the start of the quarterfinals.

Lehtera, in his first year leading the women’s team, shared some light-heartedness amidst the situation, reminiscing about a time he played with a similar number of players back in a beer league match.

“That might actually be a silver lining,” he reflected. “Emerging stronger from this situation is a possibility. Who knows?”

He also emphasized that preparing for unforeseen challenges was a point he communicated to the team last summer.

“We can’t predict everything; all we can do is focus on what we can control,” he explained. “If we’re told to play, we’ll show up, no matter how many players that is.”

Finland’s captain, Jeni Hiilikoski, in her fifth Olympics, remarked on the importance of team support during tough times. “We’re just taking it one day at a time,” noted the 38-year-old defender. “It’s crucial how we respond to whatever comes our way. Staying calm and focused is key.”

Finland, alongside the Czech Republic, came into the tournament as a contender for a medal, right behind the top teams like the United States and reigning Olympic champions Canada.

Past achievements include four Olympic bronze medals, the most recent at the 2022 Beijing Games, and they’ve also secured bronze in the last two world championships against the Czech Republic.

The previous Olympic Games occurred during the pandemic, yet none of the matches were postponed, and the event took place within a tightly controlled environment.

The closest encounter with postponement happened during a preliminary matchup between Canada and Russia, where the game was delayed due to unresolved test results for the Russian team’s players.

Eventually, Canada decided to proceed after all participants were mandated to wear masks.