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. |
DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Can PM climb this electoral mountain?'Alarm bells go off when there's a 20Champions League semis: Bayern hosts Madrid then Dortmund welcomes PSGIDF forces are accused of beating and torturing captured PalestiniansReuters photographer wins World Press Photo of the Year with poignant shot from GazaHow South Africa's former leader Zuma turned on his allies and became a surprise election foeGermany arrests 2 for allegedly spying for Russia, plotting sabotage to undermine Ukraine aidChina sees robust recovery, vigorous growth in cultural, tourism industries: ministerChildren played just yards from where headless torso was found at nature reserve, police revealThey cost up to £30. But which posh lip glosses are worth the dosh?