2026 Olympic Games: Canada's women's hockey team leads Switzerland 1-0 heading into 3rd period

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Canada's opening Olympic women's hockey game postponed over Finnish players' illness

Canada is playing its first women's hockey game today against Switzerland, a couple days later than expected.

The start of the Canadian women's tournament was delayed due to a norovirus outbreak on the Finnish team. The Canadians agreed to postpone the game against the Finns to Feb. 12.

The Swiss team had one player test positive for norovirus yesterday. But the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation says no other players have had symptoms, while that first player hasn't had symptoms since Friday morning.

The Canadians have taken the change in plans this week in stride.

"We were kind of just laughing because obviously during the COVID Olympics, we were expecting those things a little more than this time around," Canadian goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens said. 

"But we were ready for it. That’s just kind of part of being an Olympian, and I think in the spirit of sport, to postpone the game [against Finland] was the best thing for them and for them to be able to play healthy."

I had the chance to chat with Spooner a couple of weeks before she left for her fourth Olympics. One message that came through clear: she’s willing to play any role on this team.

In the past, she’s been a top-six forward. In this game, she’s the extra forward.

Her goal came on the power play, in the spot where you can usually find Spooner: in front of the net, making life difficult for the opposing team’s goaltender.

It’s that versatility, and her ability to make things light for her teammates, that makes Spooner an asset for this team.

Team Canada vet Natalie Spooner, who’s playing in her fourth Olympics, has opened the scoring against Switzerland. We sit at 1-0 nearly halfway through the first period.

The Toronto Sceptres forward has had a long and winding journey to get here since winning gold in 2022. She came back from medical issues related to giving birth to her son, Rory. And last season, she came back from major knee surgery.

Canadian head coach Troy Ryan gave assistant coach Kori Cheverie his spot at the opening ceremony yesterday.

Cheverie missed the opportunity to travel with the team to the 2022 Olympics after testing positive for COVID-19 just before she was scheduled to leave. She continued to coach the team from back in Canada.

But four years later, she finally got that Olympic moment. What a cool gesture from one Nova Scotian to another.

We’re in the first intermission of Canada-Switzerland women's hockey action.

Even though there's nothing on the scoreboard to show for it yet, Canada controlled play in the first period, outshooting the Swiss 17-2. Swiss goaltender Saskia Maurer has been busy — and sharp — in her second start in two days. 

It looked like Canada's Sarah Nurse had opened the scoring against Switzerland. But it was a false alarm.

The officials said no goal due to a high stick. We continue to await the first goal, but Canada has had several good opportunities during this period. Swiss goaltender Saskia Maurer has had to be sharp.

Stephen Gogolev delivers, sends Canada to final round in team figure skating

Toronto's Stephen Gogolev skated to a season's best score of 92.99 points, to finish in third place in the Olympic figure skating team men's short program. Gogolev's skate qualified Canada for the team event free program, and moved Canada into fourth place overall.

Canada will now move on to the ice dance free skate event in figure skating after Stephen Gogolev's performance in the men's short program. 

Gogolev landed in third place behind Japan's Yuma Kagiyama and Ilia Malinin of the United States in first and second, respectively. 

The top five countries after the men's short program move on to the free skates, which will decide the medals. 

With three of the four short segments already completed ahead of the men's short program, Canada was sitting in fifth place behind the United States, Japan, Italy and Georgia, putting the pressure on Gogolev to hold Canada's position. 

After his performance, Canada now sits in fourth place with 27 points, just one point behind Italy for third. 

Switzerland has scratched goaltender Andrea Brändli for the second day in a row. They're starting Saskia Maurer, who was solid in an overtime win against Czechia yesterday.

Canada has opted to start backup goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer. Kayle Osborne will back her up. That leaves starter Ann-Renée Desbiens fresh for Monday's game against Czechia.

Something to keep an eye on: Canadian women's hockey captain Marie-Philip Poulin is just two goals away from surpassing Hayley Wickenheiser's all-time career Olympic goals record (18). Poulin sits at 17.

She'll centre today’s top line in between speedy Laura Stacey and Olympic rookie Julia Gosling, who's got one of the best shots in the game.

Canadian curling duo Peterman and Gallant were close in their mixed doubles matchup against Estonia, but ultimately lost 8-6. That takes them to 3-3, with their hopes of reaching semifinals now depending on the outcome of their match against Sweden tomorrow. 

Alina Müller is arguably the biggest star on this team. She's an assistant captain with the PWHL's Boston Fleet, where she's scored 44 points over 64 career games. She also won a bronze medal as a teenager with this team in 2014 and is looking to return to the podium.

Nicole Vallario, a reserve defender with the New York Sirens, is also on this team, as is legend Lara Stalder, who is competing at her fourth Olympic Games.

Here’s my preview on the best European teams to watch at this tournament.

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