Norovirus Outbreak Postpones Canada vs. Finland Match
The highly anticipated opening match for Canada and Finland in women’s hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics has been postponed due to a Norovirus outbreak affecting Finnish players.
Details of the Norovirus Outbreak
The postponement was officially announced on Thursday after medical consultations revealed Norovirus cases within Team Finland. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) made the decision to prioritize the health and safety of players, staff, and officials.
Rescheduled Match Information
The match has been rescheduled for February 12, 2026. Finnish head coach Tero Lehtera indicated that the majority of his players were not fit to compete. He emphasized that playing could endanger Team Canada’s health as well.
Available Players
- Without the outbreak, Finland would have faced Canada with a full roster.
- However, reports suggest Finland could only field about 10 players for the original match.
Upcoming Matches and Schedule
This postponement alters the schedule for both teams. Finland’s next match is against the United States, set for Saturday at 10:40 a.m. ET. Canada is scheduled to face Switzerland earlier that same day at 3:10 p.m. ET.
Tournament Timeline
| Event | Date | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Finland vs. USA | Feb. 12 | 10:40 a.m. |
| Canada vs. Switzerland | Feb. 12 | 3:10 p.m. |
| Quarterfinals | Feb. 13-14 | — |
| Semifinals | Feb. 16 | — |
| Gold and Bronze Medal Games | Feb. 19 | — |
This outbreak underscores the importance of health protocols in sports events, especially at high-stakes tournaments like the Olympics. Filmogaz.com will continue to provide updates on this unfolding situation.
