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.
Xi Story: Gaining a Deeper Understanding of Chinese Civilization at Yin Ruins
Leverkusen moves 10 points clear atop Bundesliga
Country's tourism market off to a robust start in 2024
Dortmund face striker problem ahead of Atletico clash
Main Olympic railway marks 2nd anniversary
Shanghai Disney Resort launches Earth Month activities
Beijing universities open campuses for winter vacation tours
Judge orders psych evaluation for Illinois man charged in 4 killings
Xi's Speech at CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High
Wanderlust will spark recovery