The PWHL could not have scripted it higher.
For the second yr in a row, the league’s playoff image comes right down to the final day of the common season.
Three factors separate third-place Boston from fourth-place Ottawa and fifth-place Minnesota. Solely two will make the Walter Cup playoffs.
The chaos begins on Saturday with Ottawa on the street in Toronto at 12 p.m. ET, because the Cost seems to clinch its first franchise playoff berth.
Ottawa’s provincial rivals have already locked down a playoff spot, and have the chance to play spoiler for Cost followers for the second yr in a row.
It comes after the Cost let a playoff spot slip away on Wednesday in entrance of a house crowd at TD Place. The Frost shut Ottawa out 3-0, regardless of a stable efficiency in internet by rookie Gwyneth Philips.
WATCH | Can the Cost earn a playoff spot?:
Host Anastasia Bucsis and PWHL insider Karissa Donkin break down the final PWHL regular-season day as 3 groups enter Saturday with an opportunity to lock up the ultimate 2 playoff spots.
Ottawa allowed turnovers all evening and struggled to get the puck out of its zone. Finally it caught up with the group.
“I do not assume it was an absence of effort,” head coach Carla MacLeod stated after the sport. “I simply really feel we had been a bit ‘blah’ right this moment, and you do not wish to see that in a second like this. Definitely that is a misstep on our half.”
MacLeod inspired her gamers to satisfy the second, and to be excited to earn a playoff spot reasonably than scared to lose.
The group can be within the driving seat once more on Saturday. Ottawa wants a win over Toronto (12 p.m. ET) or a loss by Minnesota to make the minimize. Ought to the Cost tie the Frost, Ottawa’s cushion of regulation wins could be the tiebreaker.
In different phrases, win and also you’re in. It is so simple as that.
“We now have the ticket in our arms nonetheless,” MacLeod stated. “That hasn’t modified. It is simply ensuring that we’re studying from this expertise and recognizing now we’re a bit bit up towards the wall.”
WATCH | Cost miss alternative to safe playoff spot in loss towards Frost:
Minnesota defeats Ottawa 3-0 to maintain their playoff hopes alive. Lee Stecklein leads the way in which with two objectives. The Cost, Frost and Fleet will vie for the final two post-season spots on Saturday, the ultimate day of the common season. Ottawa (42 factors) will face the playoff-bound Toronto (47 factors) whereas Minnesota (41 factors) takes on Boston (44 factors).
Championship sport rematch
A Walter Cup last rematch is on faucet at 1 p.m. ET when the Boston Fleet host the Frost. Each groups are within the hunt for a playoff spot, however the Fleet sit a full three factors forward of Minnesota. Making it to additional time ought to be sufficient for the Fleet to get in.
The Frost went right into a loud TD Place in Ottawa on Wednesday having misplaced 4 of the final 5 video games. However the group’s veteran leaders confirmed up.
Captain Kendall Coyne Schofield opened the scoring, earlier than assistant captain Lee Stecklein prolonged the lead with a laser of a shot from the purpose. Stecklein additionally added an empty netter.
Minnesota limped into the playoffs final season. The group misplaced 5 in a row, after which the primary two playoff video games, too.
However everyone knows what occurred after that. Minnesota stormed again to stun Toronto after which earned a hard-fought sport 5 victory over Boston to win the primary Walter Cup.
You’ll be able to by no means depend them out.
“They are a good group,” Stecklein stated after her group’s regular-season finale towards the Fleet. “We noticed them fairly a bit final yr, too. We all know it may be a battle. I believe it may be a distinct sport than any of the others we have performed earlier than as a result of we’re enjoying a bit determined.”
Montreal seeking to lock up prime spot
The day ends with the New York Sirens internet hosting the Montreal Victoire at 2 p.m. ET. You’ll be able to watch the sport on CBC Gem and streaming on CBCSports.ca.
On the floor, it might not appear to be a lot is on the road. The last-place Sirens have been eradicated from playoff rivalry and have secured the first-overall choose in June’s entry draft.
Montreal, in the meantime, is sitting in first place with a assured spot within the playoffs.
However the sport might decide whether or not the Victoire go into the post-season within the driver’s seat.
With that, comes energy. As soon as once more, the primary seed will get to select its opponent between the third- and fourth-place group. The group that finishes first within the standings will choose its semifinal opponent and announce the choice Sunday at 6 p.m. ET.
However after struggling to search out secondary scoring during the last month, Montreal might use the momentum that comes with going into the playoffs on a successful streak.
Victoire head coach Kori Cheverie stated the sport may also be vital to proceed to get her gamers right into a rhythm after the worldwide break. Defender Kati Tabin may also be coming back from a two-game suspension.
“Any means you form of have a look at it, it may be an vital sport for our group,” Cheverie stated.
Toronto, in the meantime, rallied behind beloved third goaltender Carly (CJ) Jackson for a shootout win over New York earlier this week. Head coach Troy Ryan described it as considered one of his group’s most vital wins of the yr due to what Jackson brings to the group.
“Typically that little additional motivation that an individual like CJ brings out in your group is actually vital,” Ryan stated after the win.
Now, they should carry that into one final sport. Solely a regulation win by Toronto and a regulation loss by Montreal can be sufficient for Toronto to leapfrog into first.
PWHL playoffs begin subsequent week
The Toronto Sceptres and Montreal Victoire will host the opening video games of the PWHL semifinals subsequent week, although opponents have but to be decided.
Recreation 1 of Toronto’s collection is scheduled for Wednesday at Coca-Cola Coliseum, whereas Montreal opens its collection Thursday at Place Bell. The second sport of Toronto’s collection is Friday, with Montreal’s Recreation 2 following Sunday.
The semifinals are best-of-five collection, with the winners advancing to play for the Walter Cup.
4 of the league’s six groups qualify for the post-season, with the Ottawa Cost, Boston Fleet and Minnesota Frost nonetheless battling for the ultimate two spots — simply three factors separate the three groups.
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