The schedule for the women’s tournament at the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang, Korea were released by the IIHF today, kicking off hockey at the Olympics on Saturday, February 10.
Group B starts off the tournament, with Japan facing Sweden in the opener, followed by hosts Korea playing Switzerland, while the teams of Group A (Canada, Finland, Russia and the United States) starting the next day, and playing alternating days afterwards. The playoff rounds begin one week later, where Canada will look to win their fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal, while the United States will look to finally lift the weight of 20 years of silver with a victory, while squads like Finland, Russia or Switzerland looking to play spoiler.
UPDATE (Dec. 5): As a result of Russia’s ban from the 2018 Olympics, approved athletes will be able to participate under the Olympic Flag as the “Olympic Athletes From Russia” team; the schedule below has been adjusted to reflect this change.
The tournament schedule is as follows:
GROUP A Canada Finland O.A.F. Russia United States |
GROUP B Japan Korea Sweden Switzerland |
Saturday, February 10
Japan vs. Sweden
Korea vs. Switzerland
Sunday, February 11
Finland vs. United States
Canada vs. O.A.F. Russia
Monday, February 12
Japan vs. Switzerland
Korea vs. Sweden
Tuesday, February 13
Canada vs. Finland
O.A.F. Russia vs. United States
Wednesday, February 14
Sweden vs. Switzerland
Japan vs. Korea
Thursday, February 15
Canada vs. United States
Finland vs. O.A.F. Russia
Saturday, February 17
Quarterfinal – A3 vs. B2
Quarterfinal – A4 vs. B1
Monday, February 19
Semifinal – A1 vs. A4/B1
Semifinal – A2 vs. A3/B2
Classification Game – B3 vs. B4
Thursday, February 22
Bronze Medal Game
Gold Medal Game
The IHLC for the tournament will likely fall to the winner of November’s Four Nations Cup, although if the title is held by the U.S. or Canada by the end of the tournament, the IHLC will be contested in a handful of exhibition tilts in the lead-up to the Games. The path to Pyeongchang is now clear, and who brings the IHLC to the Games will soon be very clear!
Photo Credit: Sochi 2014 – IIHF – HHOF – IOC
