Following Canada's lead, Finnish team masks up for Olympic hockey game vs. ROC
An 8th Russian Olympic Committee player has returned a positive COVID-19 test
The Finnish women's hockey team sported masks for Tuesday's Olympic matchup, no doubt aware another player on the Russian Olympic Committe (ROC) squad tested positive for coronavirus.
Forward Polina Bolgareva returned a positive test after suiting up for Monday's 6-1 loss to Canada, according to head coach Evgeny Bobariko. That game was delayed over an hour because of COVID-19 concerns on both teams.
Bobariko said the team was informed about the positive test after returning to the Olympic Village following the game.
The ROC has eight players unavailable in Beijing because of the virus and another player was left in Moscow after a positive test.
"I don't know how it's happening," Bobariko said.
WATCH | Finland dons masks, blanks undermanned ROC:
Last week, six ROC members were placed in isolation after testing positive.
Maskless for 3rd period
The added equipment didn't appear to faze Finland, which cruised to a 5-0 victory, their second against three losses in Beijing while Russia has one victory in five starts.
Canada and ROC agreed to start their game wearing N95 masks under their helmet cages, but the Russians removed theirs to begin the third period.
WATCH | Canada defeats ROC to remain undefeated at Beijing Games:
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The Canadians weren't comfortable playing until there was further discussion around testing results, as it wasn't clear the ROC had submitted all testing results before puck drop.
"Our [general manager] said we were wearing masks and we were like, 'OK, let's go win a game in masks.' Not a big deal for us," Canadian forward Brianne Jenner said. "We have been training a lot in these.
"Maybe you lost a puck or two at your feet, but we don't want to use it as an excuse."
Canada will face Sweden, the third seed in Pool B, in the quarter-finals on Friday at 8 a.m. ET (CBCSports.ca, CBC Sports app, CBC Gem).
The United States meets the Czech Republic, Finland takes on Japan and Switzerland and Russia square off in the other quarter-finals.
With files from The Canadian Press, Associated Press
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