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The Canada vs. Russian Olympic Committee women’s hockey game had a different look in the wee hours of the morning on Monday following a lengthy delay.
The delay reportedly took place because Team ROC’s COVID-19 test results were not provided to Team Canada.
Last week, six members of the ROC team were placed in quarantine after testing positive for COVID. Once the one-hour delay ended, players returned to the ice wearing masks under their helmets.
After a lengthy delay reportedly due to Team ROC’s COVID-19 test results being late, both Canada and the ROC are now wearing masks for the game.#Beijing2022 pic.twitter.com/LSagwSqUlT
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 7, 2022
The Team Canada vs. Team ROC match was delayed about an hour due to COVID concerns.
All athletes are currently playing in masks.#WinterOlympics | @NBCOlympics pic.twitter.com/dEnVqHCqYc
— On Her Turf (@OnHerTurf) February 7, 2022
The players are warming up.
And players from both ROC and Team Canada are wearing masks. pic.twitter.com/B5tSe5k6sE
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) February 7, 2022
Even the goalies were double-masked up.
Team Canada VS the ROC is back on after a 60-min delay.
Emerance Maschmeyer, Harvard-grad and former IVY league player of the year will be making her Olympic debut in goal for Team Canada.
She and everybody else will be wearing masks during this game.#Beijing2022 pic.twitter.com/EtEns8bTiq
— VarsityJournal (@Varsity_Journal) February 7, 2022
Prior to the puck drop, Team ROC was actually on the ice at Wukesong Sports Centre but they were not joined by Team Canada due to the COVID concerns.
Once everything was cleared up, and the N95 masks were put on, the game went on as scheduled. For Canada, the delay and masks did not hurt them one bit as they jumped out to an early 2-0 lead.
Some people mocked the masks on social media, but in a tournament setting — especially if you are a gold medal favorite like Canada — it is important to take every precaution to ensure your players will be available and ready to play as the tournament continues.
