U.S. women’s hockey team downs Finland but loses Decker to injury

Kendall Coyne Schofield and Alex Carpenter each scored twice as the United States women’s hockey team began defense of its Olympic title with a 5-2 win over Finland on Thursday in a game overshadowed by an injury to American forward Brianna Decker.

The 31-year-old alternate captain and three-time Olympian yelped out in pain after being tripped from behind by Finland’s Ronja Savolainen midway through the first period. Decker was unable to place any weight on her left leg and was taken off on a stretcher.

Decker later was on crutches next to the bench and was hugged by teammates as they left the ice. Her injury represents a potentially significant blow to the Americans, who are trying to become the first U.S. team to win backto-back gold medals. Decker has been a national team staple for 11 years.

In other games, Natalie Spooner had two goals and three assists and Claire Thompson a goal and four assists in Canada’s 12-1 rout of Switzerland. And Michaela Pejzlova scored on a breakaway with 13:33 left as the Czech Republic capped its women’s hockey Olympic debut with a 3-1 win over China.

Also, Rui Ukita capitalized on a turnover to score the go-ahead goal on a breakaway 4:03 into the third period in Japan’s 3-1 victory over Sweden.

■ Tennis: IOC president Thomas Bach said Peng Shuai has told Olympic officials she can move freely in Beijing and spend time with family and friends. Bach’s promised dinner with Peng is widely anticipated amid global concern for her safety after she accused a former Chinese Communist Party official of sexual assault.

■ COVID: Organizers announced 55 more positive virus tests. The updated daily figure includes 26 cases among the athletes and team officials from about 68,000 tests. Thirteen were found on arrival in Beijing, and the other 13 were from daily PCR tests. The other 29 cases were from workers and accredited personnel.

■ Downhill skiing: Strong winds could delay the start of the second training session Friday. Other training sessions are slated Friday and Saturday before the men’s competition opens the Alpine program Sunday.

■ Men’s hockey: Czech center David Krejci tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Beijing and is isolating while awaiting more test results. The 35-yearold longtime Boston Bruin is expected to be among the tournament’s best players.

■ Snowboarding: Rina Yoshika of Japan sustained a back injury in a training crash and won’t compete in the slopestyle contest. Officials said the 22-year-old, ranked 12th in the world, sustained a spinal injury but is not paralyzed.