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.
Defending national champion LSU boosts its postseason hopes with series win against Texas A&M
Turner hits 2 home runs, Jansen also connects as Blue Jays beat Royals 6
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti apologizes for forgetting German on his Bayern Munich return
Analysis: IndyCar cheating scandal risks sullying Roger Penske's perfect image
Millions of people across Oklahoma, southern Kansas at risk of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms
This summer, John Krasinski makes one for the kids with the imaginary friend fantasy ‘IF’
UAB football team becomes first in NCAA Division I to sign with college athlete organization
Dead infant found at Florida university campus; police investigating
Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert misses Game 2 in Denver
Autistic schoolgirl, 16, took her own life at £44,000
Nimmo, Manaea and Díaz lead the Mets to a 4
Arizona rancher accused of fatal shooting will not be retried, prosecutors say