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. |
China Issues Dietary Handbook for Kids with Growth FailureAsia's Leading Flower Market Cashes in on 'She Economy'Chinese Students Embrace Winter Sports at Ski Resorts in PE ClassElements of 'Rabbit' to Mark Chinese New YearChina Has over 64,500 Open Online Courses: ReportIn pics: men's doubles quarterfinals at WTT Finals Men Doha 2023More Women Elected to Sit as NPC DeputiesSpring Campus Job Fair for Graduates of 2023 Held in Harbin, NE ChinaAcross China: Competition in SW China's Chongqing Inspires Students to Innovate, Start businessesChina Focus: TCM Sees Rising Popularity Among Young People