EDMONTON & RED DEER, Alta. – Following conversations between Hockey Canada and USA Hockey, the final two games of the Rivalry Series, originally scheduled for Edmonton and Red Deer, Alta., on Jan. 3 and Jan. 6, respectively, have been cancelled.

With several players and staff from Canada’s National Women’s Team currently in COVID-19 protocol, Hockey Canada and USA Hockey have agreed that the games will not be able to be played.

“The risk associated with playing the final two Rivalry Series games with less than one month before our teams are set to compete in the 2022 Olympics is too high to finish our series with the United States,” said Gina Kingsbury, director of hockey operations with Hockey Canada. “Changing our schedule and not being able to play the United States is always difficult, as our players and staff want to play against international competition and put on a great show for hockey fans. Unfortunately, we need do what is right for our athletes from a health perspective and for our team preparation in order to ensure everyone remains healthy and eligible for Beijing.”

All ticket holders will receive a refund in January through Ticketmaster for the Edmonton game or Tickets Alberta for the Red Deer game.

The 2022 Olympic Winter Games kick off on Feb. 3, 2022, in Beijing, China, with all competing countries and athletes required to meet a series of COVID-19 protocols leading into the Games.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.