Having the option of choosing their playoff opponent wasn’t taken lightly by the staff and players of the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s Toronto franchise for clinching first-place in the standings. So sensitive and in-depth were the discussions, coach Troy Ryan knew better on Monday night than to disclose the reasons behind Toronto’s decision to face fourth-place Minnesota over third-place Boston — two teams who finished with identical 12-9-3 records (including four OT/SO wins apiece), with Boston having the tiebreaking edge. “To be honest, from a hockey perspective, I think it would be somewhat irresponsible to tip my hat to the exact details,” Ryan said. “So at this point, we’ll keep that within house.” Of all the aspects taken into consideration, ranging from analytics, head-to-head records, travel and injuries, among the most important, perhaps, was the fear of providing their opponent any additional motivation entering the best-of-five semifinal series, which opens in Toronto on Wednesday. Montreal, which finished second, will face Boston in the other semifinal starting on Thursday. |
World benefits from greater ChinaUSC president makes her first remarks over recent campus controversies on IsraelChina's top legislature concludes standing committee sessionChina draws with Singapore in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifierPolice in Tennessee fatally shot man after he shot a woman in the face. She is expected to surviveBenitez sacked by relegationPLA's information support force is brandClimate change blamed for heavy rain in the southRevealed: The top five '6', '8' and '10's' in the Premier League are rankedQualification, points system announced for Paris 2024