The Finnish women’s hockey team won’t open Olympic play against Team Canada on Thursday as originally scheduled. A norovirus outbreak throughout the Finnish team has led to over a dozen players being quarantined ahead of the contest, per multiple reports.
Symptoms of the illness showed up Wednesday, as the Finnish team canceled its training session due to four players being sick. That figure jumped to 14 on Thursday. It’s unclear how many players on the team currently have norovirus. Some players are being quarantined due to possible exposure to the virus.
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Because of the quarantine, only 10 Finnish players participated in the team’s pre-game skate. With so few players available for the Finnish team, the game was in jeopardy of being canceled. It was up to the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to make that call.
Both organizations came together quickly following the pre-game skate, postponing Thursday’s game.
The two teams are now set to play Feb. 12.
The following 14 Finnish players are currently either sick or being quarantined due to norovirus:
Goalies: Sanni Ahola
Defenders: Sini Karjaleinen, Elli Suoranta, Ronja Savolainen
Forwards: Michelle Karvinen, Julia Liikala, Emma Nuutinen, Jenniina Nylund, Julia Schalin, Susanna Tapani, Noora Tulus, Viivi Vainikka, Sanni Vanhanen, Emilia Vesa
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Vainikka was present at the pre-game skate Thursday, per Claire Hanna of TSN, so it appears she was a late addition to the list of sick or quarantined players.
Finland’s head coach Tero Lehtera pushed for the game to be canceled Thursday, saying he didn’t want to put his players, or Team Canada’s players at risk.
Norovirus is a highly contagious illness that has symptoms similar to the flu. It typically lasts a few days before clearing up.
Thursday’s game between Canada and Finland was set to be a big one. Canada won the gold medal at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, with Finland winning the bronze.
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For now, that matchup will have to wait until Feb. 12.
Finland’s next game is scheduled for Feb. 7, when they’ll take on the United States. It’s unclear whether Finland will be able to take part in that contest due to its current quarantine.