Canada (w) vs Switzerland (w) on 16 February
As the 2026 Milano Cortina tournament heads into its high-stakes final stretch, one of the most anticipated matchups of the group stage is set to unfold on February 16th. The Canadian Women’s National Ice Hockey Team will face Switzerland in a battle that promises to showcase tactical mastery, raw physicality, and some of the best female hockey talent in the world. The game will take place at the renowned Mediolanum Forum, with both teams hungry for a crucial win that could significantly impact their tournament journey.
Canada (w): Tactical Approach and Current Form
Canada has been a dominant force in women's hockey for years, and their current form shows no signs of slowing down. With a recent streak of four wins from five games, they enter this match as clear favorites. The Canadian team is known for its fast-paced, aggressive play, especially in the transition game. They favor a high-forechecking style, applying relentless pressure on their opponents in all three zones. This is reflected in their impressive statistics, with the team averaging 33 shots on goal per game and a power play efficiency of 25%. Their forecheck often forces turnovers, which they quickly capitalize on with rapid counter-attacks.
Key players include captain Marie-Philip Poulin, whose leadership and scoring ability have been pivotal, as well as goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens, whose save percentage of .926 has kept the team competitive in tight games. In terms of injuries, Canada is in good health, though they are expected to continue missing defenseman Jocelyne Larocque, whose absence has slightly affected their defensive depth. Despite this, Canada's overall balance—strong defense, dynamic offense, and excellent special teams—will be a tough challenge for Switzerland.
Switzerland (w): Tactical Approach and Current Form
Switzerland has proven to be an unpredictable force in the women’s hockey world. Their tactical setup is built around a solid defensive core and quick counterattacks, often opting for a conservative approach, especially when playing against higher-ranked teams like Canada. Their last five matches have seen a mix of strong defensive performances, with 3 wins and 2 losses, though they have struggled against more aggressive forechecking teams. Averaging 26 shots per game, Switzerland needs to capitalize on every scoring chance, as they don’t have the same offensive firepower as Canada.
Goaltender Andrea Brändli has been a standout player for Switzerland, boasting an impressive .930 save percentage, which keeps them competitive in high-pressure situations. The Swiss also rely on the dynamic forward Alina Müller, who is the engine of their offense and a constant threat on the power play, contributing significantly to their 19% power-play conversion rate. However, Switzerland is expected to be without their key defenseman Florence Schelling due to injury, which leaves a void in their defensive zone. This could prove costly against Canada’s relentless attack.
Head-to-Head: History and Psychology
The history between these two teams is rich, with Canada having the upper hand in most encounters. In their last five matchups, Canada has won four times, with the only exception being a closely contested 2-1 victory for Canada during the 2024 World Championship. These games have often been decided by Canada's high-intensity offensive play, while Switzerland has relied on solid defensive structures and the brilliance of Brändli in goal. However, when Canada is able to sustain pressure and capitalize on their power plays, Switzerland tends to struggle.
The psychological edge clearly lies with Canada, given their recent dominance and experience in high-pressure situations. However, Switzerland has always proven to be a tough opponent and will be motivated to prove they can hang with the best. The nature of these encounters suggests that Canada will control most of the puck possession, while Switzerland will look to hit on the counter.
Key Battles and Critical Zones
1. **Poulin vs Brändli** – The duel between Canada’s offensive leader and Switzerland’s rock in goal will be crucial. Poulin has the ability to take over games, and her shooting accuracy (16.7%) will test Brändli’s resilience. If Poulin can get pucks on net consistently, it will be a long night for the Swiss defense.
2. **Power Play Effectiveness** – Canada’s power play has been exceptional, converting at 25%, while Switzerland has struggled at 19%. Special teams will be pivotal in this game. A key battle will be Canada’s ability to draw penalties against Switzerland’s more conservative approach. If the Swiss penalty kill can hold firm, they may have a chance to keep the game close.
3. **Defensive Zone Play** – With Switzerland missing Schelling, their ability to contain Canada’s forwards will be heavily scrutinized. Look for Canada to exploit the Swiss blue line, especially in one-on-one situations and around the net. The play of Swiss defensemen like Simona Baumgartner will be pivotal in limiting scoring chances and blocking shots.
Match Scenario and Prediction
Given Canada’s form, depth, and sheer offensive firepower, the most likely scenario sees Canada controlling the tempo of the game. Their relentless forechecking will disrupt Switzerland’s attempts to set up structured plays, forcing the Swiss to rely on counterattacks and long-range shots. Switzerland’s best hope is to keep the game close through strong goaltending from Brändli and limiting the damage on special teams.
Canada is likely to take an early lead and force Switzerland to open up, which could play into Canada’s hands with their ability to score in transition. Switzerland will need to be perfect on defense and take advantage of any Canadian mistakes. However, the lack of depth in their blue line and their struggle against aggressive teams suggests that Canada will secure a win, though Switzerland may manage to keep it closer than expected.
Prediction: Canada wins by 3 goals or more. Look for a final score around 4-1 or 5-2 in Canada’s favor. Power play goals will be decisive, with Canada likely scoring at least one on the man advantage. The game could see a total of 60 shots between the two teams, with Canada accounting for 35 of those.
Final Thoughts
The clash between Canada and Switzerland will answer a key question: Can Switzerland hold their ground against the world’s best, or will Canada’s offensive might prove too much to overcome? With Canada’s explosive attack and Switzerland’s strong defense, the game will hinge on the battle in front of the net and the efficiency of each team’s special teams. Get ready for a high-intensity, action-packed affair that will set the stage for even more thrilling hockey ahead in the Milano Cortina tournament.
