After a lengthy delay because of late COVID-19 test results, the Canadian women’s hockey team beat the Russians 6-1 on Monday at the Beijing Olympics.
The Canadians (3-0) didn’t come out for the opening faceoff because of late results from the Russian team. Russia (1-2) stayed on the bench and then skated before returning to its locker room about 30 minutes after the scheduled faceoff.
The game started more than an hour late and both teams agreed to wear masks, but the Russian players took them off in the third period. The Russians experienced some positive COVID-19 cases before the tournament and had to be in isolation for a couple of days.
Canadian forward Emily Clark was removed from the ice during warm-up and did not play.
It’s not the first time COVID has caused hard feelings at this Olympics.
Polish short-track speedskater Natalia Maliszewska referred to the rules as a “big joke” in a social media post after she was released from quarantine from her event, only to test positive again, Inside The Games reported.
Yahoo reported that Finland men’s hockey coach Jukka Jalonen was upset with the treatment player Marko Anttila was getting in isolation. He said China “won’t respect his human rights.”
Germany also has voiced concern about the isolation facilities.
Sarah Fillier, Erin Ambrose, Jamie Lee Rattray, Marie-Philip Poulin, Rebecca Johnston and Sarah Nurse scored for Canada against Russia.
Goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer made her first start of the tournament for Canada, which outshot Russia 49-12.
It was the first game this Olympics in which Canada did no reach double digits in goals. Canada outscored its first two opponents 23-2.
Canada faces the United States (3-0) in the final game of the first round for both teams on Monday at 11:10 p.m. ET.
