Jenni Hiirikoski, a key player for the Finnish women's ice hockey team, suffered a significant setback as her Olympic journey has come to an abrupt end due to an upper body injury sustained during a match against Canada. The Finnish Ice Hockey Association announced the unfortunate news, indicating that Hiirikoski will require surgical treatment following the injury she sustained in the first period of the game on Thursday.

Hiirikoski expressed her disappointment in a statement, highlighting her sadness over being unable to continue playing in her fifth Olympic Games. Her absence is felt deeply by the team, as she is considered an integral part of their strategy and success. Head coach Tero Lehterä also reflected on the loss, stating that the team hopes for a swift recovery for Hiirikoski and recognizes the valuable contributions she has made to the team.

Despite the setback with Hiirikoski, the Finnish women's team is set to continue their Olympic campaign, with a quarter-final match scheduled against Switzerland on Saturday evening. The team is focused on advancing in the tournament, but the emotional impact of losing a key player is significant, and they will need to rally together in her absence to achieve their goals in the competition.