Canada's Olympic Hockey Team Overcomes Slow Start to Defeat Switzerland 4-0
The Canadian women's hockey team began their Olympic title defense with a convincing 4-0 victory over Switzerland on Saturday, though the performance featured a sluggish start that gave way to a dominant finish. Playing in Milan, the Canadians finally took the ice after their tournament schedule was disrupted by a norovirus outbreak that postponed their originally planned opener against Finland.
A Sleepy Beginning to Olympic Competition
In terms of scoring prowess, the Canadian squad appeared somewhat lethargic during the early stages of their Olympic opener. Despite controlling play and demonstrating superiority in nearly every aspect of the game, the team struggled to translate their effort into goals during the initial period. The first frame ended scoreless, with Canada unable to capitalize on their offensive opportunities against a determined Swiss defense.
Forward Blayre Turnbull acknowledged feeling less than optimal during preparations, referencing a late-night practice session that occurred just two nights before the game. "I know personally, I didn't feel great," Turnbull admitted on Saturday, alluding to the practice that replaced their postponed contest. "Now I know I can adjust things in my day."
Building Momentum Through the Game
As the contest progressed, the Canadian team visibly improved, demonstrating increased speed, precision, and productivity. The breakthrough eventually came, with the squad adding scoring confidence as the game unfolded. The final tally of 4-0 reflected their growing dominance, though the scoreboard didn't fully capture the extent of Canadian control.
The statistical dominance was particularly striking: Canada outshot Switzerland by a remarkable 55-6 margin, creating what amounted to tilted-ice conditions for much of the contest. Swiss goalkeeper Monja Wagner delivered an exceptional performance, particularly in front of her own net, which helped keep the score respectable despite the overwhelming shot differential.
Olympic Experience and Tournament Outlook
Coach Troy Ryan expressed confidence in his veteran-laden roster, which includes 16 returning gold-medal winners from the Beijing Olympics. "This is a veteran group and we've built the team the way we have for a reason," Ryan explained in a recent interview. "They know what it takes to go through an Olympic Games. They know how to have success. And they know that to win here, you've got to get better and better throughout the tournament."
The coach emphasized that adjustments would be necessary throughout the Olympic competition, as they almost always are in tournament play. With the first game now completed, Ryan and his staff can regroup and focus on their proven roadmap to Olympic success: improving with each contest and peaking when it matters most.
Looking Ahead in Pool A Competition
Canada faces three more Pool A games as they continue their Olympic campaign, with their next matchup scheduled against Czechia on Monday. While there is acknowledged work to be done, particularly in generating more consistent offensive firepower for anticipated showdowns with powerhouse teams like the United States, the Canadian squad has time to refine their approach.
The Swiss team entered the contest with an advantage of already having a game under their belt, potentially explaining their closer proximity to optimal form during the early stages. Despite this, Canada maintained their perfect record against Switzerland in Olympic competition, extending a historical dominance that has never seen them lose to the Swiss team in the Games.
As the tournament progresses, the Canadian women will look to build upon this foundation, transforming their initial sluggishness into the championship-caliber performance expected from the defending Olympic gold medalists.
