Jason La Rose
The Drive for Five begins one year from today for Canada’s National Women’s Team, which opens its quest for a fifth-consecutive Olympic women’s hockey gold medal on Feb. 10, 2018.
The schedule has yet to be released, but the groups are set and the Canadians – the No. 2-ranked country by the International Ice Hockey Federation – will face off against the Finland, Russia and the United States in preliminary-round play.
Historically, how has Canada fared against its first three opponents?
Finland 2016 IIHF World Ranking: 3rd
The Canadians and Finns are hardly strangers when it comes to the biggest stage in sports; Finland is the only country Canada has faced in all five Olympics that have included women’s hockey, highlighted by a trio of meetings in the semifinals. The Finns played for a medal in each of the first four women’s Olympic tournaments, winning bronze in 1998 and 2010, before a quarter-final loss to Sweden in 2014.
Last international meeting: Canada 3, FIN 0 November 1, 2016 – 4 Nations Cup (preliminary round)
ALL-TIME OLYMPIC GAMES VS. CANADA Canada leads all-time series 5-0-0-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L-T)
February 10, 2014 – Canada 3, FIN 0 (preliminary round) February 22, 2010 – Canada 5, FIN 0 (semifinal) February 17, 2006 – Canada 6, FIN 0 (semifinal) February 19, 2002 – Canada 7, FIN 3 (semifinal) February 12, 1998 – Canada 4, FIN 2 (preliminary round)
PREVIOUS RESULTS 2014 – 5th place 2010 – bronze medal 2006 – 4th place 2002 – 4th place 1998 – bronze medal
Russia 2016 IIHF World Ranking: 4th
The Russians have broken through at the IIHF Women’s World Championship, twice winning bronze, but have yet to find that same success at the Olympics; Russia has never finished higher than fifth place, and was a disappointing sixth on home ice in Sochi in 2014. Canada has faced Russia only twice at the Olympics, both comfortable shutout wins for the Canadians in preliminary-round play.
Last international meeting: Canada 8, RUS 2 March 29, 2016 – IIHF Women’s World Championship (preliminary round)
ALL-TIME OLYMPIC GAMES VS. CANADA Canada leads all-time series 2-0-0-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L-T)
February 12, 2006 – Canada 12, RUS 0 (preliminary round) February 12, 2002 – Canada 7, RUS 0 (preliminary round)
PREVIOUS RESULTS 2014 – 6th place 2010 – 6th place 2006 – 6th place 2002 – 5th place 1998 – did not qualify
United States 2016 IIHF World Ranking: 1st
There is little that needs to be said about the Canada-U.S. rivalry. The North American rivals have met for gold at all 17 IIHF Women’s World Championships, and at four of five Olympic Winter Games. The Americans had the upper hand when women’s hockey made its Olympic debut in Nagano, beating Canada in the preliminary round and gold medal game, but the Canadians haven’t lost an Olympic game since, topping the U.S. three times for gold, including a memorable come-from-behind overtime win in Sochi.
Last international meeting: Canada 3, USA 2 OT December 19, 2016 – December Series
ALL-TIME OLYMPIC GAMES VS. CANADA Canada leads all-time series 3-1-0-2-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L-T)
February 20, 2014 – Canada 3, USA 2 OT (gold medal) February 12, 2014 – Canada 3, USA 2 (preliminary round) February 25, 2010 – Canada 2, USA 0 (gold medal) February 21, 2002 – Canada 3, USA 2 (gold medal) February 14, 1998 – USA 7, Canada 4 (preliminary round) February 17, 1998 – USA 3, Canada 1 (gold medal)
PREVIOUS RESULTS 2014 – silver medal 2010 – silver medal 2006 – bronze medal 2002 – silver medal 1998 – gold medal