Join the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter and get behind-the-scenes access and unrivalled insightJoin the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletterJoin the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletterFinland’s national women’s hockey team has had to postpone its opening preliminary-round game against Canada after a stomach virus depleted the squad.Several coaches and hockey officials expressed “Get Well” wishes on Thursday after the game at the Milan Cortina Olympics was moved to February 12.The decision was reached shortly after Finland completed its early afternoon practice with only eight skaters and two goalies. The remaining 13 players were either in quarantine or isolation because of a norovirus that began affecting the team on Tuesday night.Team Canada fully backed the decision to play on another day.“On behalf of Hockey Canada and our team, we want to wish Team Finland a speedy recovery,” general manager Gina Kingsbury said after Canada held a practice coinciding with the time their game was to be played.“Obviously, you worked four years to come to an Olympic Games, we know what it means to represent your country and to be in this incredible tournament,” added Kingsbury, a former Canadian hockey Olympian. “To fall sick and to have a group of athletes under the weather the way they are, we feel for them.”The postponement provides Finland two extra days to rest before playing the United States on Saturday.open image in galleryThough the 2022 Beijing Games were played amid the coronavirus pandemic, no games were postponed (AFP via Getty)“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 said.Kingsbury was involved in the decision-making process and said Finnish officials provided her an update on their situation on Wednesday. She said forfeiting the game was never discussed as all parties worked to find a reasonable solution.Kingsbury said there are no Canadian players who are experiencing any signs of illness, and added officials have said the norovirus is isolated to Finland’s hockey team.Before the game’s postponement, Finland coach Tero Lehterä said it would be unfair to ask his 10 currently healthy players to compete in a full game. Lehterä also said the team has to take into account the possibility of…
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2026-02-06 08:51:42
