Milan, Italy – The quest for Olympic gold in women’s hockey continues today as Canada faces Switzerland in the semifinal round of the competition at the Santagiulia ice rink. For the Canadians, a nation where hockey reigns supreme, the pressure to defend their title as Olympic champions is immense. Canada has a storied history in the sport, boasting five gold medals in seven Olympic tournaments since women’s hockey was introduced, alongside thirteen World Championship titles in thirty-five years.
Switzerland, however, presents a formidable challenge. They earned their place in the semifinals with a stunning quarterfinal victory over Finland, a result that underscores their growing competitiveness on the international stage. This rematch comes after the two teams met during the preliminary round, where Canada secured a 4-0 win, despite a strong performance from Swiss goaltender Saskia Maurer.
That preliminary contest, while a victory for Canada, wasn’t without its challenges. Switzerland managed to hold Canada to just one goal through the first two periods, demonstrating a defensive resilience that cannot be overlooked. However, a three-goal outburst in the third period, fueled by two power-play goals, ultimately sealed the win for the Canadians. Canada dominated possession, outshooting Switzerland 55-6 in that initial encounter.
Canada has demonstrated a renewed sense of purpose following a preliminary round loss to the United States. They responded with decisive victories, defeating Finland 5-0 and then overcoming Germany 5-1 in the quarterfinals. The offensive firepower of players like Sarah Fillier (6 points), Daryl Watts (6 points), Julia Gosling (5 points), Kristin O’Neill (4 points), and Claire Thompson (4 points) will be crucial for Canada’s success. However, the team’s overall offensive production has been described as underwhelming, with key players like Laura Stacey, Sarah Nurse, Natalie Spooner, Blayre Turnbull, and Emma Maltais combining for only three goals thus far in the tournament.
Switzerland, while facing a significant challenge, will look to build on their quarterfinal success. Alina Muller leads the Swiss scoring with 4 points, supported by Lara Stalder and Rahel Enzler, both with 2 points. The Swiss team will need a similarly strong performance from Maurer in net to contain the Canadian attack. Their path to the semifinals was marked by a mixed bag of results in the preliminary round – an opening 4-3 shootout win against Czechia followed by regulation losses to Canada, the United States, and Finland. That quarterfinal win against Finland, a 1-0 shutout, proved they can elevate their game when it matters most.
The stakes are high for Canada, who are aiming to continue their dominance in women’s Olympic hockey. They have played in all seven Olympic gold medal games, winning five of them. This semifinal matchup mirrors a similar contest from the 2014 Sochi Olympics, where Canada also faced Switzerland in the semifinals and ultimately went on to win gold against the United States in an overtime thriller. The possibility of a fifth consecutive Olympic final between Canada and the United States looms large, but first, Canada must overcome a determined Swiss team.
Adding to Canada’s motivation is the pursuit of individual milestones. Captain Marie-Philip Poulin, after a return from injury in the quarterfinal against Germany, is now tied with Hayley Wickenheiser and Jayna Hefford for the most games played by a Canadian woman in Olympic hockey history. Poulin also scored her 18th Olympic goal against Germany, equaling Wickenheiser’s long-standing record. While surpassing that record is a personal goal, Poulin’s primary focus remains on leading her team back to the gold medal game.
The game is scheduled to begin at and will be broadcast live on CBC and streamed on CBC Gem, offering Canadian viewers comprehensive coverage of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
