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.
Amanda Holden, 53, sends pulses racing in a skimpy black bikini during lavish yacht trip in sun
Alicia Keys rocks a studded denim
As Victoria Beckham turns 50, the money
Prince Andrew WON'T write tell
Twyla Tharp dance will open 700
Costco member spotted returning vintage item from 2002 under retailer's 'unlimited grace period'
Monica Garcia's baby daddy revealed to be Braxton Knight, 29
Distressing moment horse is rescued after falling into a Florida pond
America's best fast food restaurants ranked
Dylan Cease says last year with White Sox 'wasn't enjoyable in really any way'
Queen Camilla 'hurt' by Prince Harry's blistering attack in Spare which branded her a 'villain'