Finland women’s hockey team may not have enough players to face Canada due to stomach virus

By Canadian Press on February 5, 2026.

MILAN (AP) — Finland’s women’s hockey team is not sure if it will have enough players to face Canada on Thursday night in each team’s first game at the Milan Cortina Olympics because of a stomach virus depleting its roster.

Finland practiced with just eight skaters and two goaltenders. Finnish Ice Hockey Association spokesperson Henna Malmberg said the remaining 13 players are either infected or in quarantine.

Teams are allowed to dress up to 20 skaters and two goalies. Finland would forfeit, resulting in a 1-0 Canada win, if it cannot dress enough players to participate. The game is scheduled to start at 9:10 p.m. local time.

___

AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

John Wawrow, The Associated Press