Toronto faces Minnesota in the playoffs and leaves Boston for Montreal

The Toronto team in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (LPHF) had the privilege of choosing their opponent in the first round of the playoffs. She decided to face Minnesota, thus giving Montrealers the opportunity to face Bostonians.

Boston's goaltender defends his net against Toronto's Blayre Turnbull.

Toronto finished atop the overall standings in the LPHF’s first season.

Photo: Canadian Press / Christopher Katsarov

This rule of LPHF is intended to distribute the team that finished first in the overall standings during the regular season. She could choose between the third qualified team (Boston) or the fourth (Minnesota).

It was not an easy decision to make as there is no easy opposition in this leaguedeclared Toronto general manager Gina Kingsbury at a press conference. We spoke to our players to find out their opinions on each of the options. Then we have also looked at the advanced statistics, the latest performances of the two teams, the health check of the teams. Travel also played a role. We looked at it from all angles.

Toronto has won its last four games, thanks in particular to the brilliance of Natalie Spooner, top scorer on the circuit this year. She has scored 5 goals in her last three games.

A new Montreal-Boston classic

Montreal therefore has a meeting with Boston. The first two games will take place at Place Bell, and the next two at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. If a fifth game is necessary, it will be presented at the Laval Amphitheater.

We must be ready to receive checks and also give themanalyzed Montreal captain Marie-Philip Poulin, who expects a robust confrontation. Boston has very good skaters, they are good in defense, they send a lot of shots to the net. And Aerin Frankel (Boston goalkeeper) is very good, as we have seen all year.

The Massachusetts club qualified at the last minute for the spring tournament thanks to a 4-3 win against the Quebec team at the very end of the season last Saturday.

Maureen Murphy and her teammates face Boston for their first LPHF playoff series.

Photo: usa today sports via reuters con / David Kirouac

The team led by Marie-Philip Poulin posted a record of 3 wins, 1 loss in regular time and 1 loss in overtime against Boston.

Last Saturday (during the defeat) we got off to a bad start to the game. It will be necessary to exert yourself for 60 minutes each timeinsisted the Beauceron star player.

It will be a fairly even duel. It is the aspect of robustness that will be a central element, within the limitscoach Kori Cheveri indicated We have to be disciplined, in every sense of the word, we have to respect our game plan. Boston has a good strike force and a good goalkeeper.

Toronto has a 2-2 record against Minnesota this season. The first two matches take place at Coca-Cola Coliseum, where the Toronto Marlies, the Maple Leafs’ farm club, play. THE Xcel Energy Centerhome of the Minnesota Wild, will host the other duels.

All series are played in a 3 out of 5 format.