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2022 Olympics: The semifinal matchups are set

We’re down to the final four

And then there were four.

The quarterfinals of the 2022 Olympics are over, which means we have gone from eight teams down to four. That also means we have just four games left. The two semis, and the two medal games to decide which teams go home with hardware around their necks.

Matchups

Canada (A1) vs Switzerland (A5) | Sunday, Feb. 14, 11:10 p.m. ET

So, it’s Team Switzerland that has the unenviable task of trying to stop the juggernaut that is Team Canada. Getting to the quarterfinals is already a big achievement for the Swiss, so they should be going into this game with their heads held high. But we all know they will need a big performance in net to have a chance to sink Team Canada.

USA (A2) vs Finland (A3) | Monday, Feb. 15, 8:10 a.m. ET

When they met in the preliminary round, Team USA handed the Finns a 5-2 loss. That defeat sent Team Finland into a spiral in the group stage that they have finally put behind them. Don’t let the naysayers who want the women’s game out of the Olympics fool you. Any team can win on any given night (or morning, in this case). That’s why we play the games.

The Finns have already shown they have the ability to defeat Team USA in the past. Now we need to find out if they can do it on the world’s biggest stage without head coach Pasi Mustonen and all-world goaltender Noora Räty.

Out

The Finns crushed Japan by a score of 7-1 thanks to a five-point masterpiece courtesy of Petra Nieminen. Anni Keisala was sharp, stopping 24 of the 25 shots she faced to secure Finland’s return to the final four and keep their medal dreams alive and well. This was the big win the Finns needed to boost their confidence heading into the semis.

Late Friday night, Switzerland found the scoring they needed to get past ROC. The Swiss won 4-2 (the fourth goal was a shorthanded empty-netter) to advance to the semifinals. Alina Müller had two goals (one of which was the ENG), and an assist. She’s locked in and now has 8 points in 5 GP, making her the highest-scoring non-Canadian skater in the tournament.

Schedule

  • Sunday, Feb. 13, 11:10 p.m. ET | Canada vs Switzerland
  • Monday, Feb. 14, 8:10 a.m. ET | USA vs Finland/

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