The women's ice hockey tournament at the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics will kick off its quarterfinal rounds on Friday, featuring crucial matchups that hold significant weight in the tournament's outcome. The first two quarterfinal games will see the Czech Republic taking on Sweden at 5:40 PM, followed by a match between the United States and Italy at 10:10 PM. These matchups are critical as teams vie for a chance to advance toward the medal rounds.

Canada, a dominant force in women's Olympic hockey since the competition's inception in 1998, has only faced defeat twice in playoff matches, both times against the U.S. in gold medal games. The current world champions, the U.S., have similarly had success, losing only once in Olympic playoff history to a team other than Canada, which adds to the excitement of their upcoming matchup. As such, fans are eager to see if the U.S. can maintain this record against Italy.

Additionally, Finland, coming off their bronze medal accomplishments in the last Olympics, is determined to stay in contention for another medal this time around. Switzerland also hopes for a breakthrough in their medal pursuits, aiming to replicate their historic bronze from the 2014 Olympics. The players’ dedication and previous performances set the stage for an exhilarating quarterfinal round as these various teams aim for Olympic glory.