Beijing Olympics 2022: Canada, ROC women's hockey players wear masks in game due to COVID-19 concerns
The game was initially delayed because ROC had not presented Canada with COVID-19 test results
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The women's hockey game between Canada and the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) on Monday morning looked different than most hockey games will at the Beijing Olympics. First, the game was delayed due to safety concerns over COVID-19 because the ROC did not give Canada its COVID-19 test results.
That delay lasted for an hour. Then, when the game did begin, every player on the ice was wearing a mask.
The Team Canada vs. Team ROC match was delayed about an hour due to COVID concerns.
— On Her Turf (@OnHerTurf) February 7, 2022
All athletes are currently playing in masks.#WinterOlympics | @NBCOlympics pic.twitter.com/dEnVqHCqYc
"We were asked to wait, we waited. We were asked to wait more, we waited more. Then there was the decision that we should put on masks. We put them on without any issue and came out," Anna Shibanova of the ROC told CBC.
Canada's Brianne Jenner said after the last few years, they are not fazed by anything. Despite the hurdles, team Canada was still able to defeat the ROC, 6-1.
"I didn't expect this but we have said all year that nothing fazes us and this didn't faze us. Our GM said we were wearing masks and we were like, 'OK, let's go win a game in masks.' Not a big deal for us, we have been training a lot in these. Just another opportunity to prove that we could get the job done," Jenner said.
Team Canada dominated throughout. They went up 4-0 in the second period and later in the frame ROC scored its first-ever goal against Canada at the Olympics. Canada shut the door after that.
Up next, Canada (3-0) will face the United States (3-0) on Tuesday. This is Canada's final round robin game. With the loss to Canada, ROC now stands at 1-2.
