Canada Dominates Switzerland in 2026 Olympic Women’s Hockey Debut
In an impressive start to the 2026 Olympic women’s hockey tournament, Canada secured a 4-0 victory over Switzerland on Saturday. The match marked the debut of the tournament held in Milano-Cortina.
Canada’s Dominant Performance
Key performances came from Sarah Fillier and Darryl Watts, each contributing a goal and an assist. Power-play goals were scored by Fillier, Natalie Spooner, and Julia Gosling. Watts added a goal at even strength, while Claire Thompson provided two assists.
Switzerland’s Goalkeeping Challenge
Swiss goalie Saskia Maurer faced an onslaught of Canadian shots, making an impressive 50 saves. Despite the loss, Switzerland managed to field a full roster of 20 skaters and two goalies at the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena, which has a seating capacity of 5,700 to 6,000.
Match Context and Schedule Changes
Originally scheduled for Thursday, the match was adjusted due to health concerns. Canada’s game against Finland was postponed to February 12, following reports of norovirus among the Finnish team. Switzerland also faced its own health issues, which affected their participation in the opening ceremonies.
Game Highlights
- Spooner opened the scoring for Canada at 7:02 in the second period.
- Fillier quickly followed with a goal at 4:03 in the third period.
- Gosling scored at 13:36, redirecting a shot from Erin Ambrose.
- Watts sealed the victory with a goal at 16:44.
Upcoming Matches for Canada
Canada will face a series of challenging opponents in the coming days. Their schedule includes matches against:
- Czechia on Monday
- The United States on Tuesday
- Finland on Thursday
Group A Standings
The current standings in Group A show the United States leading with a 2-0 record. All five top-seeded teams from this group will advance to the quarterfinals scheduled for February 13-14.
This Olympic women’s hockey tournament continues to draw attention as the top teams vie for the gold medal. Fans can expect more exciting matches in the days to come.
