The Finnish women’s hockey team was scheduled to face Canada on Thursday, but the game is now in danger of being cancelled. A norovirus outbreak within the Finnish squad resulted in more than a dozen players being quarantined before the game, according to multiple reports.
Symptoms of the disease emerged on Wednesday, with Finland canceling training after four players fell ill. On Thursday, that number jumped to 14. It’s unclear how many players on the team have contracted norovirus. Some players are in quarantine due to possible exposure to the virus.
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Due to quarantine, only 10 Finnish players participated in the team’s pre-game skate. The match was in danger of being called off because Finland had so few available players. The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are expected to make a decision on whether the tournament will go ahead as planned.
Currently, the following 14 Finnish players are sick or in quarantine due to norovirus:
Goalkeeper: Sonny Ahola
Defenders: Sini Kajalainen, Eli Suolanta, Ronja Savolainen
Forwards: Michelle Kalvinen, Julia Likara, Emma Nuutinen, Janina Nylund, Julia Sarin, Suzanne Tapani, Noura Toulouse, Vivi Vanika, Sonny Vanhanen, Emilia Visa
Vainikka was present at Thursday’s pregame skate, TSN’s Claire Hanna reported, so it appears Vainikka was a late addition to the list of players who are sick or in quarantine.
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Finland head coach Tro Lehtra urged the game to be called off on Thursday, saying he didn’t want to put his players or Team Canada’s players at risk.
Norovirus is a highly contagious disease with symptoms similar to those of the flu. It usually takes a few days to clear up.
Thursday’s game between Canada and Finland promises to be a big one. Canada won gold and Finland won bronze at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
The two teams are still scheduled to play Thursday at 2:10 p.m. ET, though that could change due to the norovirus outbreak.
This story will be updated.
