Two hockey games between the Canadian and US women’s hockey teams in Alberta have been called off.
Canadian goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens (35) makes a save in front of teammate Erin Ambrose (23) and American Amanda Kessel (28) in the Rivalry Series third period hockey game in Ottawa , Tuesday, November 23, 2021.
THE CANADIAN PRESS / Justin Tang
Canada and the United States were scheduled to conclude their rivalry series Jan. 3 in Edmonton at the World Junior Men’s Hockey Championship and Jan. 6 in Red Deer.
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Both games were canceled because several Canadian players and staff were in COVID-19 protocol, Hockey Canada said in a statement Tuesday.
“The risk associated with playing the last two games of the Rivalry series less than a month before our teams are ready to compete in the 2022 Olympics is too high to complete our series with the United States,” said said Gina Kingsbury, director of hockey operations at Hockey Canada.
“Changing our schedule and not being able to play in the United States is always difficult, as our players and staff want to play against international competition and provide a great spectacle for hockey fans.
“Unfortunately, we have to do what’s right for our athletes from a health standpoint and for the preparation of our team to ensure that everyone remains healthy and eligible for Beijing.”
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The announcement came on the same day the United States junior men’s team lost an Under-20 Championship preliminary round game to Switzerland because two American players tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. .
What was a nine-game series between the Canadians and the Americans to help both prepare for the February Olympic Winter Games in Beijing and pick a roster was limited to six games.
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Canada has won four of the six games played against the United States, including two in overtime.
A game scheduled for December 20 in Saint Paul, Minn., Has also been called off due to coronavirus concerns.
Hockey Canada was scheduled to name its 23-player Olympic roster the same week, but delayed the announcement.
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