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.
Renee Zellweger, 55, is seen wearing trademark Bridget Jones's mini
Demolition workers discover mysterious 100
Nurse hat trick helps Toronto clinch top
Binky Felstead showcases her toned midriff in all
Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford look stony
Hawaii military family sues over jet fuel leak into Navy water system
David Rittich gets the start in goal for Los Angeles in Game 4 against Edmonton
South Africa marks 30 years since apartheid ended
Tennessee earns No. 1 national seed for NCAA baseball tournament after sweeping SEC titles
Why college kids are abandoning Ivy Leagues to go to Southern schools
Feature: Innovation turns switch producer into global energy solutions provider
Demolition workers discover mysterious 100