Canada vs. Finland postponed due to Norovirus outbreak among Finnish players
The first contest for both Canada and Finland in women’s hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics Games in Italy was postponed Thursday due to a Norovirus outbreak among the Finnish players.
⚠️ Statement on postponement of Olympic women's ice hockey game between Finland and Canada. Check here: olympics.com/en/milano-cort… #MilanoCortina2026 #Olympics
“The decision was taken following consultations with medical professionals after cases of norovirus were identified within Team Finland,” a statement from the International Olympic Committee read. “It was made collectively and in accordance with established health and safety principles, with the health and wellbeing of players, team staff, officials and all tournament participants as the highest priority.”
The game has been rescheduled to Feb. 12.
Finnish head coach Tero Lehtera told reporters Thursday that his players weren’t healthy enough to risk it.
“There’s a chance that if they would play then it would influence Team Canada and their health as well,” he said, according to TSN reporter Claire Hanna. “I couldn’t risk my players.”
Finland Head Coach Tero Lehtera says his players aren’t healthy enough to play. “There’s a chance that if they would play then it would influence Team Canada and their health as well. I couldn’t risk my players.” @CBCOlympics #Olympics
According to Daily Faceoff’s Ben Steiner, if Finland were forced to play Thursday, they would have had just 10 players available to face Canada.
Finland would have had roughly just 10 players to play against Canada today as their team has been decimated by norovirus. No game now vs Canada until Feb. 12. A more condensed schedule for both nations.
The next scheduled game for Finland is Saturday against the U.S. at 10:40 a.m. ET / 7:40 a.m. PT. As for Canada, their next game is against Switzerland at 3:10 p.m. ET / 12:10 p.m. PT. to play
The quarterfinals will begin Feb. 13 and conclude the following day. Both semifinals are taking place on Feb. 16. The tournament will wrap up on Feb. 19 with both the gold and bronze medal games.