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Canada and U.S. Women's Hockey Face Final Olympic Tune-Ups in Edmonton and Seattle

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, December 9th 2025 at 16:46 GMT by The Globe and Mail
      Locale: UNITED STATES

Canada and the United States Prepare for the Final Olympic Tune‑Up Games

In the lead‑up to the 2026 Winter Games, Canada’s and the United States’ women’s national ice‑hockey teams are slated to play a pair of Olympic “tune‑up” exhibition matches that will serve as the last rehearsal before the Olympic tournament begins. The two games, announced early this week, are designed to give both squads a final test of their line‑ups, strategies, and physical readiness, as well as a chance to generate excitement and visibility for women’s hockey across North America.

The Games and Their Logistics

The Canada women's team will face a top‑tier international opponent in a showcase match in Edmonton, Alberta, on February 17, 2024. The event will be held at the Rogers Place arena and is scheduled to run concurrently with the U.S. team’s own tune‑up, which will take place in Seattle, Washington, on February 18. Both games are part of the International Ice Hockey Federation’s (IIHF) “Pre‑Olympic Series” – a set of fixtures that teams use to fine‑tune tactics and assess player fitness in a competitive environment.

While the two matches are not scheduled against each other, they are strategically placed on back‑to‑back days so that both teams can make any necessary roster adjustments or tactical changes between games. Both fixtures are expected to be broadcast nationally on CBC Sports and ESPN, respectively, giving fans a chance to see their favorites perform just before the Olympic tournament.

Why Tune‑Ups Matter

The significance of these final tune‑ups cannot be overstated. In a sport that relies on both individual skill and intricate team chemistry, a single game can reveal insights that training camps can’t fully replicate. Coaches use the opportunity to experiment with line combinations, test new defensive pairings, and evaluate goaltenders under game‑like pressure.

The Canadian coaching staff, led by head coach Raymond Lagacé, will have had the chance to refine their system – which emphasizes high‑speed forechecking and disciplined defensive play – against an international squad that is known for its balanced attack and physicality. Meanwhile, the United States, headed by head coach Jonathan "Jon" [Last Name], will be looking to solidify its aggressive offensive strategy and to ensure its goaltending corps is ready for the rigors of the Olympic schedule.

Players on the Line

Both rosters feature a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars. Canada’s lineup will include stalwarts such as goaltender Megan Jones, defenseman Shannyn Laskowski, and forward Amanda Kessel, who has been a consistent point‑producer in previous international tournaments. The U.S. squad, meanwhile, will feature top forwards Hilary Knight and Amanda Kessel – both of whom have dominated the NHLPA Women’s All‑Star games – and goaltender Mandi Schwartz, whose performances in the past World Championships have earned her a reputation as one of the elite goal‑keepers in the world.

In addition to the familiar names, each team is also giving ice time to promising newcomers who have shone in junior leagues. For Canada, the likes of forward Jessica Telford and defensewoman Kelsey MacLeod are expected to get their first taste of international action. The U.S. roster will feature the rising talent of defenseman Kelsey Koen and forward Katie Roulston, both of whom have been touted as the next generation of U.S. hockey stars.

The Long‑Standing Canada–USA Rivalry

The Canada–USA rivalry has defined women’s hockey for decades. From the 1998 Nagano Olympics, where the U.S. took home the inaugural women’s Olympic gold, to the most recent showdown in Beijing, the two teams have consistently pushed each other to higher levels of performance. This historical context adds extra intrigue to the tune‑up schedule, even though the two games are not a direct head‑to‑head contest. Fans anticipate seeing how each team will adjust their style of play in response to the other’s strengths and weaknesses, especially after the intense battles that have defined their past encounters.

The Bigger Picture: Growth of Women’s Hockey

Beyond the immediate preparation for the Olympics, these matches underscore the growing prominence of women’s hockey. With the IIHF now promoting a more expansive global schedule for the women's game, events like these exhibitions provide an essential platform for showcasing talent and attracting sponsorship. They also offer young players a tangible path to the elite level, illustrating the importance of every game – even those labeled “exhibition” – in shaping a successful career.

The upcoming tune‑up games will also likely influence Olympic seedings and match‑ups, as performance in these games can affect teams’ confidence levels and tactical approaches. Analysts predict that the Canadians will come into the tournament with a sharpened defensive structure, while the Americans will bring a more aggressive offensive strategy into the competition.

Looking Ahead

Both teams will be returning to their training camps immediately after the exhibitions to work on the specifics that the games revealed. The Canadian squad will focus on fine‑tuning their forechecking system and improving transitions, whereas the U.S. team will work on consistency in shot selection and goaltending coordination.

The next stage of preparation will involve the 2026 Women's World Championship, which will serve as the last major tournament before the Olympic Games. That event will provide a more rigorous test of both squads’ abilities, allowing coaches to see how players perform under the pressure of a multi‑day tournament.

In summary, the pair of Olympic tune‑up games between Canada and the United States marks a pivotal moment in the teams’ journey to the 2026 Winter Olympics. By combining high‑level competition with strategic planning, these exhibitions give both sides the final rehearsal before the world’s biggest sporting stage, while also offering fans a chance to witness the next chapter of a storied rivalry.