2026 Olympic Women’s Hockey quarterfinal preview: Canada vs. Germany
The quarterfinals of the women’s ice hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics are here. A favorite to make it to the gold medal game looks to start to build some momentum on Saturday, as Canada prepares to face Germany.
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Canada was once again a gold-medal favorite. With a veteran group led by Marie-Philip Poulin and Erin Ambrose, the five-time Olympic champions were hopeful to be a strong force in Italy. However, their chances of winning another gold medal took a hit when Poulin suffered an injury against Czechia in the group stage, leading to an embarrassing loss to the United States on Tuesday. Canada managed to score second place in Group A with a win over Finland on Thursday.
Germany entered the tournament with expectations to challenge for the top spot in Group B. However, a rough loss to Sweden in their tournament opener last Thursday quickly changed the team’s goal. Germany was able to respond, with three straight wins, though they weren’t easy. After outlasting Japan, Träger der Adler needed overtime to beat France, while Laura Kluge’s goal late in regulation helped Germany beat Italy on Tuesday, securing second place.
WHEN THEY LAST MET
This will be the first time Canada and Germany have met at the Winter Games. To find the last time these two teams met in major competition, you have to go back to the quarterfinals at the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship, when Canada won, 7-0.
TOP SCORERS
Canada
Julia Gosling, 5 pts
Sarah Fillier, 4 pts
Daryl Watts, 3 pts
Kristin O’Neill, 3 pts
Laura Stacey, 3 pts
Claire Thompson, 3 pts
Germany
Laura Kluge, 7 pts
Nicola Hadraschek, 4 pts
Darisa Gleissner, 4 pts
Emily Nix, 3 pts
Nina Jobst-Smith, 3 pts
SCOUTING REPORT
Canada
While Canada might not be at the same level as the U.S., it still has enough firepower to beat the rest of the competition. In their three preliminary-round wins, they outscored their opponents, 9-1. With Poulin still questionable for Saturday’s game, the Canadians will need players like Sarah Nurse, Sarah Fillier and Laura Stacey to drive the offense.
Renata Fast has certainly been the team’s best player so far. Her ability to rush the puck up the ice, only to get back to a defensive posture just as quickly, makes her so dynamic. Goaltending-wise, Ann-Renee Desbiens and Emerance Maschmeyer have been the Canadian tandem for years, though it was Desbiens who was in net for all five goals against the U.S.
Germany
One of Germany’s biggest strengths is goaltender Sandra Abstreiter. The best goaltender at the 2024 Women’s Worlds hasn’t been the superstar netminder in Milan, though she has played well enough to give her team a more “favorable” matchup in the quarterfinals. In facing a team like Canada, she will have to be on her A-game in order for the Germans to pull off an upset.
Offensively, Germany has Kluge, who’s tied for the most points (7) in the opening round. who has been relied upon to drive the offense for years. The top line of her, Emily Nix and Nicola Hadraschek, was one of the best trios in the group stage. Defender Nina Jobst-Smith, who scored the OT winner against France, has certainly been the team’s MVP thus far.
Germany has never made it to the semifinals at the Olympics.
BURNING QUESTIONS
Where is Canada’s headspace at?
Sure, the players can say they’ve put the loss to the U.S. behind them, and that they’re focused on the task at hand, but you have to wonder if Canada is doubting themselves a little bit after that loss. There are enough veterans in the locker room to keep the roster on the straight and narrow, but if Canada looks too far ahead, it might come back to bite them.
Can Germany withstand Canada’s attack?
As I mentioned, Abstreiter will have to stand on her head in order for Germany to even have a chance. Jobst-Smith has played against a lot of these players both in the PWHL and at the world championships, but it’s going to be tough for her to do all the work herself, as Germany’s depth on the back end is shallow.
PREDICTION
As much as I would love to see an upset, Germany doesn’t have enough to match a hungry, dare I say ticked off Canadian team.
Canada and Germany are set to face off on Saturday at 10:40 a.m. ET.