Latest news with #IIHFWomen'sWorldChampionship
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
World champion Hilary Knight named USA Hockey's Best Player for 2025, wins Bob Allen Women's Player of the Year award
Hilary Knight has been honored as USA Hockey 's 2025 Bob Allen Women's Player of the Year . This marks the third time Knight has received this prestigious award, having previously earned it in 2014 and 2022. The Bob Allen Women's Player of the Year Award is presented annually by USA Hockey to the top American women's hockey player since 1994. Rise of Hilary Knight by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: 1 simple trick to get all TV channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo Knight's remarkable performance at the 2025 IIHF Women's World Championship was a defining factor in her selection. Leading Team USA in scoring, she amassed nine points, including the opening goal in the gold medal game against Canada. Her contributions were pivotal in securing the United States' 11th Women's World Championship title. Knight also achieved a historic milestone by setting the all-time IIHF Women's World Championship record for career assists, reaching a total of 53. Live Events This accomplishment places her at the pinnacle of the sport, as she now holds the World Championship records for goals, assists, and points. Knight's leadership extends to her role with the Boston Fleet in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). In the 2024-25 season, she tied for the league lead in points with 29 and was second in goals with 15. Her consistent performance underscores her status as a cornerstone of women's hockey. Looking ahead, Knight has announced that the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan will be her final Olympic appearance. Having already secured one gold and three silver medals, she aims to conclude her Olympic journey on a high note. Adult Player of the Year award for Stacey Hochkins In addition to Knight's recognition, USA Hockey will honor Stacey Hochkins as the Adult Player of the Year. A native of New Boston, Michigan, Hochkins has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the sport, both as a player and coach. She played a key role in leading the Foundry 13 Little Caesars Women's Hockey Team to victory in the 21+ Tier 1 category at the 2025 USA Hockey-Long Drink Adult Women's National Championship. The annual President's Awards Dinner, set to take place on June 6 in Denver, will celebrate these achievements and honor the individuals who have made significant contributions to the sport of hockey.
Canada Standard
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Canada Standard
Feature: Chinese ice hockey veteran Yu defies age to reach career peak
by sportswriters Hu Jiali, Wang Haoming and Zhao Ziyu BEIJING, May 8 (Xinhua) -- At 36, most athletes are winding down their careers. But Yu Baiwei, captain of China's women's ice hockey team, is unfazed by this notion. "If anyone doubts my fitness, just watch me when I hit the ice," she said. As the only team member born in the 1980s, Yu has been a competitive fixture for 20 years. She made her national team debut at 17 and played in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, where China placed seventh, and led the squad to a ninth-place finish on home ice at Beijing 2022. At the 2025 IIHF Women's World Championship Division I Group A, held in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen in April, the veteran was named China's best player. LATE CAREER PEAK "Most people think my prime was in my twenties," Yu reflected. "Actually, I think that I have been getting stronger and more skilled since 29." The secret is self-discipline. Since then, Yu has barely taken a real off-season break. Back home in Harbin, she trained with male players to sharpen her skills and address her weaknesses, and also put in extra hours at the gym. "I know the older I get, the harder I will bounce back from fatigue. That's why I can't afford to fall behind," she explained. 19-year-old goalkeeper Zhan Jiahui called Yu a role model. "She trains through discomfort, targets her weaknesses, and stays in peak condition. She's the oldest on the team, but still one of the best. She's inspired me so much." "My mentality is wired for high-intensity competition," said Yu. "When I set a goal, I give it 120 percent. I just want to see how far I can go. "Don't let the age define what you can achieve. If you have a dream, go for it. It's never too late." PLAYING THROUGH PAIN Yu has rarely been injury-free throughout her career. Chronic shoulder dislocations, a torn ligament in her left knee, and ankle damage are just a few entries on her long injury list. "It's uncomfortable," she admitted, "but I've learned to live with it." Ahead of Beijing 2022, she tore her left anterior cruciate ligament, a career-threatening injury. But Yu denied doctors' recommendation for surgery. Instead, she strapped on a knee brace, trained the surrounding muscles, and went back on the ice. She hasn't taken the brace off since. Time and again, she's chosen rehab over surgery, putting her national team duties above anything else. "Some people joke that I'm a medical miracle," she laughed. In February's 2026 Winter Olympic qualifiers, with a shoulder injury limiting the use of her shooting arm, Yu managed to score against hosts Japan. The goal lifted her team's morale in a tough match. "Pain wears you down," she admitted. "But once you've pushed through it, life becomes more fun." A LEGACY BEYOND ICE "Each stage of my career has brought new responsibilities," Yu said. "I'm lucky to have spent 20 years with this team, including two Olympics, it's a complete career." Yet one goal remains for Yu: leading China back into the world's top eight. "Wearing the national jersey isn't just about pride - it's a responsibility. That belief is in my bones. And I want to pass it on." As a player and assistant coach, Yu is helping build the team's future. China is currently going through a transitional period, with a new generation of players rising and veterans like Kong Minghui and Zhao Qinan holding the line. For Yu, the path ahead is clear. "Whether I'm a player, a coach, or in any other role, I'll keep contributing to Chinese hockey," she said. "This sport has shaped my life. I want to help our team stand firm in the world."
Business Mayor
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Mayor
Reliving the ‘Miracle'
LAKE PLACID — Steve Brescia of Medford Lakes, New Jersey, was in Utica for the IIHF Women's World Championship in April 2024, when he ran into some fellow Miracle on Ice Fantasy Camp attendees. Brescia hadn't attended the camp in a few years, so some of those campers told him that he needed to come back. It's safe to say it didn't take much pleading. Brescia was one of 67 hockey players from around the world — alongside 11 of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team members — who took part in the ninth annual MOI Fantasy Camp, which was held here between Sunday, April 27 to Wednesday, April 30. It was his fifth time attending the camp, and he keeps coming back because of the people he's met over the years. 'The first time you come here, it's all a blur because it's the '80 guys,' he said. 'Then it becomes like a family reunion. Everybody keeps track of each other during the year and some people catch up, but it's just about the people. Hockey is like the seventh or eighth thing I say when I talk about this camp.' The camp director and former ORDA employee, Katie Million, who is currently the director of women's national team programs for USA Hockey, said with 51 returning campers, it's a bit of a 'dysfunctional family reunion.' 'But it's a family reunion nonetheless,' she said. 'Whether it's the campers themselves or the campers and the 1980 team, it's just become a really family atmosphere and seeing friends again for the annual reunion.' Eleven of the 17 surviving members of 1980 hockey team participated in the fantasy camp this year: Bill Baker, Neal Broten, Dave Christian, John Harrington, Steve Janaszak, Mark Johnson, Rob McClanahan, Ken Morrow, Mike Ramsey, Buzz Schneider and Phil Verchota. Living teammates who did not attend were Steve Christoff, Jim Craig, Jack O'Callahan, Mike Eruzione, Dave Silk and Eric Strobel. Eruzione, who usually attends the camp, called in during the camp's 1980 player panel discussion, which was held at RiverTrail Beerworks in Saranac Lake. Defenseman Bob Suter died in 2014, forward Mark Pavelich died in 2021 and fellow forward Mark Wells died in 2024. In addition, two other non-players from the 1980 team were in attendance during this year's camp: assistant coach Craig Patrick and head athletic trainer Gary 'Smitty' Smith. – Family affair – Oftentimes, campers and even the 1980 players describe the camp as a 'family.' But for Ken Morrow, a defenseman for the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team, he was serious when he said it. This year, Morrow's son Evan took part in the camp. Evan had previously attended the camp in 2022, but this was his first time as a player. Ken said it was a thrill to see his son take part in this camp, especially in a building that holds so many great memories for him. Evan thought differently, especially since his dad was his coach. 'I think he was trying to trade me all camp, but he heard my price was too high,' he joked. 'He was having to pay the other guys to even consider (taking) me.' Having his dad as a coach reminded Evan of his youth hockey days, when Ken coached his team for a few years. 'You don't get to replicate that too often, so the fact that we get to replicate it here in Lake Placid, which is such a special town, is unbeatable,' he said. Through the years, Evan has met some of the 1980 players, but being on the ice with them is special, and he added that they've still got it. 'Phil Verchota still puts me to shame, John Harrington scores like three goals a game, Davey Christian scores like three goals a game,' he said. 'They've still got that skill in them, and it's awesome to share the ice with them and the fact that they can even still do what they do is just so surprising to see in an awesome way.' This year, four of the 1980 players took to the ice with the campers; those included Christian, Harrington, Verchota and Mark Johnson. 'I think the campers, they get a kick out of being on the bench with us, and being on the ice and passing the puck around and just being teammates,' Johnson said. 'It makes it fun, and just as long as we keep skating and keep upright, we'll probably keep doing it.' Brescia said one of his favorite memories at the camp came a few years ago, while playing with the 1980 guys. 'I scored on Janaszak, with an assist from Pav and Buzz,' he said. 'I can die after that.' Smiles were seen all throughout the camp from both campers and 1980 players. Ken Morrow said some of the 1980 players might have as much fun as the campers. 'I think they might have more fun, to be honest,' Million said. Johnson, who coaches women's hockey at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has led them to eight national titles, has gone to nearly every fantasy camp. Despite spending the entire week beforehand in Paris for hockey, he didn't want to miss this camp. 'I'm going to Florida for league meetings with the coaches (after this),' he said. '(But) it's worth it and it's not that long of a trip from the standpoint that it's not a couple of weeks, it's only getting here on a Sunday and we head out on Thursday. The days are busy, and they're packed, but there are a lot of things they get done during that time, so it's fun.' – Mark Wells – This year's fantasy camp was missing one of its biggest personalities in Mark Wells. The 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey member, who attended the eight previous camps, died at the age of 66 on May 18, 2024. Wells struggled with health issues for several years before he died. It kept him from doing a lot of things, but when the Miracle on Ice Fantasy Camp was first formed in 2015, Million and other organizers made sure there was something that Wells could do here. They made Wells the camp commissioner. 'He took the role very seriously,' Million said. Wells often sat near the bench used by the U.S. during the famed 'Miracle on Ice' game against the Soviet Union. He told players how they performed, good or bad. This past week, Wells' jersey lay on that chair. 'He was a special man and we are really missing him this year,' Million said. 'It's no different than missing Pav and Bob Suter, as well. Bob Suter never got a chance to come to this fantasy camp, but Pav was here for a few years and of course, Mark.' Wells died nearly two weeks after attending last year's fantasy camp. Johnson said he was always a presence on the team just like Pavelich and Suter were. 'It's just sad because last year, when he was here, he was in a good place,' Johnson said. 'He was in a real good place with his health, his spirits were high and then shortly after we left here, he passed away, so it's tough.' During the camp's opening ceremony, Wells' No. 15 jersey was lowered and raised once again from the rafters in honor of him. 'To see his number in the rafters with Bobby Suter and Mark Pavelich (is special),' Ken Morrow said, who also played college hockey at Bowling Green with him. 'Mark loved it, just like we all do. He was our commissioner, so he sat up here and he was the guy. He made a lot of friends here as well as all of us.' – The camp – The fantasy camp is treated like a real professional hockey season, with a draft, games and a tournament with medals over three days. On Monday, campers skated on the Olympic Center's 1980 Herb Brooks Arena as members of the 1980 U.S. hockey team evaluated their skills. The Olympians then conducted a draft that afternoon, selecting players to fill four teams: Red, White, Blue and Gold. After the teams were filled, had their team meetings and named their teams, the players participated in practice time on the ice. Teams played three games each, Tuesday morning and afternoon and Wednesday morning, before moving on to either the Bronze Game or the Gold Game Wednesday afternoon. A medal ceremony was held afterward, before the official fantasy camp photo was taken on the ice. Million said they're already looking forward to the 10th anniversary, and have some ideas on how to make it special and different to really celebrate it. 'Every year we say, 'Are we going to do another camp?' and we always, at least myself and the '80 guys, talk about getting to 10 years and seeing what happens,' she said. 'Do they still want to keep coming? Do campers still want to come? The overwhelming answer has been yes, but fingers crossed.' LAKE PLACID — Registration for the first-ever event on the Adirondack Rail Trail — Sunday, May 4, starting at … SARANAC LAKE — The Salmon River Shamrocks defeated SLP 5-4 on the road Monday. SLP struggled offensively …
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
PWHL playoff race is back on: Top 5 storylines to watch down the stretch
After a break for the IIHF Women's World Championship in Czechia, the Professional Women's Hockey League is back. There are nine games left in the league's schedule, which starts up again on Saturday afternoon, and three games remaining for each team. Only the Montreal Victoire have clinched a playoff spot — Toronto could be the second on Saturday afternoon — and no teams have been eliminated from playoff contention. Advertisement Even when a team is eliminated, there are still points that need to be won thanks to the league's adoption of the Gold Plan. Meanwhile, only two points separate Boston, Ottawa and Minnesota for the third and fourth spots in the Walter Cup Playoffs. A lot can change between now and May 3, the final day of the season. But if the inaugural year was any indication, with the playoff picture only finalized after the very last game, the 2024-25 stretch run should be filled with drama and intrigue. Before the puck drops again, let's dive into the top storylines to watch from the playoff race to expansion news and more. The MVP race This time last year, Natalie Spooner had pretty much locked up every major trophy (MVP, Forward of the Year and both scoring titles). This year, however, the race still feels pretty tight. Advertisement Montreal captain Marie-Philip Poulin is likely the front-runner for MVP. Her league-leading 17 goals represents around 25 percent of Montreal's offense. But nobody in the PWHL has more points than Boston's Hilary Knight (28), whose 15 goals are tied for second in the league. There's also Toronto defender Renata Fast to seriously consider. She's been the best all-around defender this season, quarterbacks the league's best power play and is tied for the league lead in assists (15). Fast also leads the league in hits (58) and is tied for third in blocked shots (48). The Sceptres have a ton of depth at forward and Kristen Campbell has rounded out her game in the latter half of the season, but one could argue that without Fast anchoring the blue line, Toronto wouldn't be anywhere close to second place. Will someone pull away in their final three games? Could other players make a strong case down the stretch? It'll be more interesting to see than last year without Spooner completely dominating the league. Can Ottawa clinch its first-ever playoff berth? The Charge went into the international break as the fourth (and final) playoff team. Now they'll have three games to hold onto that spot. Advertisement Last season, Ottawa squandered multiple chances to clinch a playoff spot down the stretch. A 5-2 loss against Toronto on the final day of the season ended Ottawa's playoff hopes and allowed the Minnesota Frost to back their way into the playoffs on a five-game losing streak. As it stands now, the Charge only have a 54 percent chance of making the playoffs, behind fifth-place Minnesota and third-place Boston, according to Dom Luszczyszyn's playoff projections. The model favors Minnesota over both Boston and Ottawa partly because they're the reigning champions and they have a positive goal differential. The Frost are only one point behind Ottawa in fifth place, and the two teams will face off next week in a game that should have massive playoff implications for both sides. The Charge are leading the season series 3-2, with some lopsided wins (an 8-3 victory in February), but also losses (5-0 last month). There's reason for fans to be optimistic about Ottawa. Goalie Gwyneth Philips was excellent at women's worlds, only allowing one goal against, which came in the gold medal game against Canada in relief of Aerin Frankel. With Emerance Maschmeyer injured, Philips has proven to be more than able to take the reins. Advertisement But there are also areas of concern. Ottawa's offense has been inconsistent. The team's 66 goals on the season are tied for last in the league with New York. Forward Kateřina Mrázová was activated from long-term injured reserve, but also revealed she played through two broken bones and a torn ligament in her wrist at women's worlds. Will she play down the stretch, or need to rest until they hopefully make the playoffs? At the end of the day, Ottawa is in the middle of a playoff race and sandwiched in the standings between the two teams that made the Walter Cup Final last season. Whether or not the team can hold onto fourth — or move further up the standings — is going to be a massive story over the final two weeks of the season. And if they fail to make the playoffs two years in a row, what changes (if any) could they make? Frankel's return from women's worlds The last time we saw Frankel on the ice, she was being helped to the bench after a scary collision with Canadian forward Laura Stacey during the gold medal game at women's worlds. Advertisement On the play, Frankel left her crease to play a puck while the U.S. was on the power play. Stacey, one of Canada's top penalty killers, was chasing the puck down and collided with Frankel, who stayed on the ice for several very quiet moments. Frankel did not return to the game, but had already locked in the goalie of the tournament award with her 1.05 goals against average and .945 save percentage. There has been no official update on Frankel's status since returning from worlds. But considering the Fleet are still very much in a fight for the playoffs, it's fair to wonder if Frankel will be available to play, let alone 100 percent down the stretch. That said, Frankel, Knight and Megan Keller did throw the first pitch at a Red Sox game at Fenway Park Wednesday night, so perhaps she's doing OK. That would be a huge relief for the Fleet. Last season, Frankel was reason Boston ran the table after returning from worlds and made the playoffs at all. Then she largely carried the team all the way to Game 5 of the Walter Cup Final. Advertisement Should Frankel need some time post-tournament, Emma Söderberg or Klára Peslarová would be tested on Saturday against No. 2 Toronto. Söderberg had a solid tournament, albeit in the less competitive Group B. Peslarová made 160 saves for Czechia, the third-most tournament-wide, including a 43-save performance against Team USA in the semis. Something to monitor for Boston, too, is top-line forward Alina Müller. She left Switzerland's final game at worlds with an injury in the final five minutes. Who gets the first overall pick? The New York Sirens could be the first team officially eliminated from playoff contention on Saturday if Boston beats Toronto in regulation and Ottawa beats Montreal in regulation. Advertisement If that doesn't come to pass, the Sirens will have a big game of their own against Minnesota on Sunday afternoon. If they win, there's a chance they'll stay alive and throw a wrench in Minnesota's attempts to get back into the playoffs. But hoping for New York to run the table like Boston did last year seems like a stretch. According to Dom's model, New York has a zero percent chance of making the playoffs. Once they are ultimately eliminated, any standings points earned will go toward the Gold Plan, which determines the league's draft order by how many points a team earns after being eliminated from the playoffs. It's likely New York wins the pick, simply because every other team is still in the midst of a playoff race. But there's also the league's newest franchise to consider. Will PWHL Vancouver get the first overall pick? Will there be a lottery between the Gold Plan winner and the new team(s) for the top pick? Or will the pick just go to the Gold Plan winner? In the WNBA, the expansion Golden State Valkyries drafted No. 5 on April 15, with the Dallas Wings (the lottery winners) drafting No. 1. How the PWHL handles this is still to be determined. (More) expansion news On Wednesday, the PWHL officially announced that its first expansion franchise will be in Vancouver, with the team set to debut in time for the 2025-26 season. Advertisement The announcement is only the start of a major storyline in the league, with several loose ends that will need to be wrapped up in the coming weeks. Beyond how the team might be integrated into the 2025 draft, the league still needs to reveal how a PWHL expansion draft might work, the Vancouver team's name and logo, and whether there will be a second team joining the league next season. Executive vice president of business operations Amy Scheer said the league is 'hopeful' there will be a second team, but added it would be premature to say anything else. It stands to reason that a second team could be geographically close to Vancouver. A PWHL website gaffe on Monday might have revealed Seattle as the league's second destination, with a link to 'Shop Seattle' (and a similar one for Vancouver) visible before being taken down. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Advertisement NHL, Women's Hockey 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
25-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
PWHL playoff race is back on: Top 5 storylines to watch down the stretch
After a break for the IIHF Women's World Championship in Czechia, the Professional Women's Hockey League is back. There are nine games left in the league's schedule, which starts up again on Saturday afternoon, and three games remaining for each team. Only the Montreal Victoire have clinched a playoff spot — Toronto could be the second on Saturday afternoon — and no teams have been eliminated from playoff contention. Even when a team is eliminated, there are still points that need to be won thanks to the league's adoption of the Gold Plan. Meanwhile, only two points separate Boston, Ottawa and Minnesota for the third and fourth spots in the Walter Cup Playoffs. Here's where things stand headed into break 👀 — PWHL (@thepwhlofficial) April 4, 2025 A lot can change between now and May 3, the final day of the season. But if the inaugural year was any indication, with the playoff picture only finalized after the very last game, the 2024-25 stretch run should be filled with drama and intrigue. Before the puck drops again, let's dive into the top storylines to watch from the playoff race to expansion news and more. This time last year, Natalie Spooner had pretty much locked up every major trophy (MVP, Forward of the Year and both scoring titles). This year, however, the race still feels pretty tight. Montreal captain Marie-Philip Poulin is likely the front-runner for MVP. Her league-leading 17 goals represents around 25 percent of Montreal's offense. But nobody in the PWHL has more points than Boston's Hilary Knight (28), whose 15 goals are tied for second in the league. Advertisement There's also Toronto defender Renata Fast to seriously consider. She's been the best all-around defender this season, quarterbacks the league's best power play and is tied for the league lead in assists (15). Fast also leads the league in hits (58) and is tied for third in blocked shots (48). The Sceptres have a ton of depth at forward and Kristen Campbell has rounded out her game in the latter half of the season, but one could argue that without Fast anchoring the blue line, Toronto wouldn't be anywhere close to second place. Will someone pull away in their final three games? Could other players make a strong case down the stretch? It'll be more interesting to see than last year without Spooner completely dominating the league. The Charge went into the international break as the fourth (and final) playoff team. Now they'll have three games to hold onto that spot. Last season, Ottawa squandered multiple chances to clinch a playoff spot down the stretch. A 5-2 loss against Toronto on the final day of the season ended Ottawa's playoff hopes and allowed the Minnesota Frost to back their way into the playoffs on a five-game losing streak. As it stands now, the Charge only have a 54 percent chance of making the playoffs, behind fifth-place Minnesota and third-place Boston, according to Dom Luszczyszyn's playoff projections. The model favors Minnesota over both Boston and Ottawa partly because they're the reigning champions and they have a positive goal differential. The Frost are only one point behind Ottawa in fifth place, and the two teams will face off next week in a game that should have massive playoff implications for both sides. The Charge are leading the season series 3-2, with some lopsided wins (an 8-3 victory in February), but also losses (5-0 last month). Advertisement There's reason for fans to be optimistic about Ottawa. Goalie Gwyneth Philips was excellent at women's worlds, only allowing one goal against, which came in the gold medal game against Canada in relief of Aerin Frankel. With Emerance Maschmeyer injured, Philips has proven to be more than able to take the reins. But there are also areas of concern. Ottawa's offense has been inconsistent. The team's 66 goals on the season are tied for last in the league with New York. Forward Kateřina Mrázová was activated from long-term injured reserve, but also revealed she played through two broken bones and a torn ligament in her wrist at women's worlds. Will she play down the stretch, or need to rest until they hopefully make the playoffs? At the end of the day, Ottawa is in the middle of a playoff race and sandwiched in the standings between the two teams that made the Walter Cup Final last season. Whether or not the team can hold onto fourth — or move further up the standings — is going to be a massive story over the final two weeks of the season. And if they fail to make the playoffs two years in a row, what changes (if any) could they make? The last time we saw Frankel on the ice, she was being helped to the bench after a scary collision with Canadian forward Laura Stacey during the gold medal game at women's worlds. On the play, Frankel left her crease to play a puck while the U.S. was on the power play. Stacey, one of Canada's top penalty killers, was chasing the puck down and collided with Frankel, who stayed on the ice for several very quiet moments. Laura Stacey entre SOLIDEMENT en collision avec la gardienne américaine Aerin Frankel ! 😯#ChampionnatduMondedeHockeyFéminin — RDS (@RDSca) April 20, 2025 Frankel did not return to the game, but had already locked in the goalie of the tournament award with her 1.05 goals against average and .945 save percentage. There has been no official update on Frankel's status since returning from worlds. But considering the Fleet are still very much in a fight for the playoffs, it's fair to wonder if Frankel will be available to play, let alone 100 percent down the stretch. That said, Frankel, Knight and Megan Keller did throw the first pitch at a Red Sox game at Fenway Park Wednesday night, so perhaps she's doing OK. That would be a huge relief for the Fleet. Our world champs were throwing HEAT last night 😮💨🔥 Big thanks to @RedSox for having the whole squad out at Fenway! — Boston Fleet (@PWHL_Boston) April 24, 2025 Last season, Frankel was the reason Boston ran the table after returning from worlds and made the playoffs at all. Then she largely carried the team all the way to Game 5 of the Walter Cup Final. Should Frankel need some time post-tournament, Emma Söderberg or Klára Peslarová would be tested on Saturday against No. 2 Toronto. Söderberg had a solid tournament, albeit in the less competitive Group B. Peslarová made 160 saves for Czechia, the third-most tournament-wide, including a 43-save performance against Team USA in the semis. Advertisement Something to monitor for Boston, too, is top-line forward Alina Müller. She left Switzerland's final game at worlds with an injury in the final five minutes. The New York Sirens could be the first team officially eliminated from playoff contention on Saturday if Boston beats Toronto in regulation and Ottawa beats Montreal in regulation. If that doesn't come to pass, the Sirens will have a big game of their own against Minnesota on Sunday afternoon. If they win, there's a chance they'll stay alive and throw a wrench in Minnesota's attempts to get back into the playoffs. But hoping for New York to run the table like Boston did last year seems like a stretch. According to Dom's model, New York has a zero percent chance of making the playoffs. Once they are ultimately eliminated, any standings points earned will go toward the Gold Plan, which determines the league's draft order by how many points a team earns after being eliminated from the playoffs. It's likely New York wins the pick, simply because every other team is still in the midst of a playoff race. But there's also the league's newest franchise to consider. Will PWHL Vancouver get the first overall pick? Will there be a lottery between the Gold Plan winner and the new team(s) for the top pick? Or will the pick just go to the Gold Plan winner? In the WNBA, the expansion Golden State Valkyries drafted No. 5 on April 15, with the Dallas Wings (the lottery winners) drafting No. 1. How the PWHL handles this is still to be determined. On Wednesday, the PWHL officially announced that its first expansion franchise will be in Vancouver, with the team set to debut in time for the 2025-26 season. The announcement is only the start of a major storyline in the league, with several loose ends that will need to be wrapped up in the coming weeks. Beyond how the team might be integrated into the 2025 draft, the league still needs to reveal how a PWHL expansion draft might work, the Vancouver team's name and logo, and whether there will be a second team joining the league next season. Advertisement Executive vice president of business operations Amy Scheer said the league is 'hopeful' there will be a second team, but added it would be premature to say anything else. It stands to reason that a second team could be geographically close to Vancouver. A PWHL website gaffe on Monday might have revealed Seattle as the league's second destination, with a link to 'Shop Seattle' (and a similar one for Vancouver) visible before being taken down. (Photo of Tereza Vanišová: Troy Parla / Getty Images)
