Jason La Rose
The countdown is on – 100 days to go until the 2022 Olympic Winter Games open in Beijing.
The schedule for the women’s hockey tournament is out, and Canada’s Women’s Olympic Team faces off against Finland, ROC, Switzerland and the United States in the preliminary round as it eyes a fifth Olympic gold medal.
Historically, how have the Canadians fared against their first four opponents?
FINLAND 2021 IIHF World Ranking: 3rd
The Canadians and Finns have met in all six women’s Olympic hockey tournaments, highlighted by a trio of semifinal showdowns (in 2002, 2006 and 2010). Finland returned to the podium in PyeongChang, winning its third bronze medal. Only once, in 2014, have the Finns failed to play for a medal.
Last international meeting: Canada 5, FIN 3 August 20, 2021 – IIHF Women’s World Championship (preliminary round)
ALL-TIME OLYMPIC GAMES VS. CANADA Canada leads all-time series 6-0-0-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L-T)
February 13, 2018 – Canada 4, FIN 1 (preliminary round) 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 2018 – bronze medal 2014 – 5th place 2010 – bronze medal 2006 – 4th place 2002 – 4th place 1998 – bronze medal
ROC 2021 IIHF World Ranking: 4th
The Russians had their best Olympic run ever in PyeongChang, reaching the semifinals for the first time. They were blanked by the Canadians before dropping a 3-2 nail-biter to Finland for bronze. Canada has an unblemlished mark against the Russians at the Games, winning all four matchups and never allowing a goal.
Last international meeting: Canada 5, ROC 1 August 22, 2021 – IIHF Women’s World Championship (preliminary round)
ALL-TIME OLYMPIC GAMES VS. CANADA Canada leads all-time series 4-0-0-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L-T)
February 19, 2018 – Canada 5, OAR 0 (semifinals) February 11, 2018 – Canada 5, OAR 0 (preliminary round) February 12, 2006 – Canada 12, RUS 0 (preliminary round) February 12, 2002 – Canada 7, RUS 0 (preliminary round)
PREVIOUS RESULTS 2018 – 4th place 2014 – disqualified 2010 – 6th place 2006 – 6th place 2002 – 5th place 1998 – did not qualify
SWITZERLAND 2021 IIHF World Ranking: 5th
The Swiss dropped off the podium in PyeongChang, finishing fifth after a quarterfinal loss to the Olympic Athletes from Russia. Their run to bronze in Sochi included two of the three all-time matchups with Canada, including a 3-1 semifinal defeat that featured a 45-save performance from goaltender Florence Schelling.
Last international meeting: Canada 4, SUI 0 August 30, 2021 – IIHF Women’s World Championship (semifinals)
ALL-TIME OLYMPIC GAMES VS. CANADA Canada leads all-time series 3-0-0-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L-T)
February 17, 2014 – Canada 3, SUI 1 (semifinals) February 8, 2014 – Canada 5, SUI 0 (preliminary round) February 15, 2010 – Canada 10, SUI 1 (preliminary round)
PREVIOUS RESULTS 2018 – 5th place 2014 – bronze medal 2010 – 5th place 2006 – 7th place 2002 – did not qualify 1998 – did not qualify
UNITED STATES 2021 IIHF World Ranking: 1st
It’s Canada-U.S. … what more needs to be said? One of the greatest rivalries in sports has produced high drama on the biggest stage in the game; the rivals have met in five of the six Olympic gold medal games, and the last two have needed extra time – the Canadians triumphed in 2014 on Marie-Philip Poulin’s overtime winner, but the Americans got their revenge in a shootout four years later.
Last international meeting: Canada 3, USA 2 (OT) August 31, 2021 – IIHF Women’s World Championship (gold medal game)
ALL-TIME OLYMPIC GAMES VS. CANADA Canada leads all-time series 4-1-1-2-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L-T)
February 22, 2018 – USA 3, Canada 2 SO (gold medal) February 15, 2018 – Canada 2, USA 1 (preliminary round) 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 17, 1998 – USA 3, Canada 1 (gold medal) February 14, 1998 – USA 7, Canada 4 (preliminary round)
PREVIOUS RESULTS 2018 – gold medal 2014 – silver medal 2010 – silver medal 2006 – bronze medal 2002 – silver medal 1998 – gold medal