Canada to open Games vs. Germans, Swiss

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — Canada’s men open against Germany and the women Switzerland in Beijing’s 2022 Winter Olympics, the IIHF announced Thursday.

The women start Feb. 3 — one day before the opening ceremony — and run to Feb. 17, while the men’s tournament is Feb. 9-20.

The Canadian women, coming off a world championship win in Calgary in August, are in a pool with defending Olympic champion United States, Russia, and Switzerland.

NHL players return to the Winter Olympics after they weren’t released to participate in 2018.

Canada, the U.S., Germany and China comprise Group A in the 12-team men’s tournament. Canada and Germany square off Feb. 10.

Russia defeated Germany for gold in Pyeongchang. Canada took bronze.