Canada kicks off defence of Olympic hockey gold versus Switzerland, Russia

ZURICH — Canada opens defence of its Olympic men’s hockey gold Feb. 15 versus Switzerland and women’s gold Feb. 11 against Russia.

The International Ice Hockey Federation released the ice hockey schedules and matchups Monday for the Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Canada’s women, who are currently training full-time in Calgary, will try to extend the country’s run of gold to five in a row.

Canada will ice a team of non-NHL players in the men’s tournament for the first time since 1994. The league chose to skip next year’s Games.

The Canadian men take on the Czech Republic on Feb. 17 and conclude the preliminary round in Pool A the following day against host South Korea.

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Quarter-final games are Feb. 21 followed by the semifinals Feb. 23. The bronze-medal game is Feb. 24 and the gold-medal game Feb. 25 prior to the closing ceremonies.

Russia, the United States, Slovakia and Slovenia are in Pool B. Sweden, Finland, Norway and Germany make up Pool C.

Canada’s women face Finland on Feb. 13 and the archrival Americans on Feb. 15 in Pool A games.

The quarter-final matches are Feb. 17 followed by the semifinals Feb. 19. The bronze-medal game is Feb. 21 and the championship game is Feb. 22.

Sweden, Switzerland, Japan and host South Korea round out the women’s field.

Games will be played at the Gangneung Hockey Centre, which has a capacity of 10,000 spectators, and the 6,000-seat Kwangdong Hockey Centre. 

The Canadian Press