PWHL Toronto is ready for the final stretch of the season after the international break

TORONTO – Despite the separation of some teammates and coaches, the Professional Women's Hockey League's international break was a welcome recovery for players in league-leading Toronto.

Seven players, along with head coach Troy Ryan and goaltending coach Brad Kirkwood, traveled to Utica, New York for the Women's World Hockey Championship. The rest had time to practice four times a week during the break, which began March 24 and ends Thursday in Boston.

“I think it was a good recovery for the girls that were here,” forward Rebecca Leslie said after practice Tuesday. “The time at home, the consistency and the discipline, that was huge for us.

“Spending more time together, I think we've really bonded over those three weeks, and we're excited to bring that into our games this week.”

Forward Maggie Connors said they can still work on concepts and improve while missing some teammates and coaches.

“I think our coaches did a great job planning and scheduling a lot of lifts, drills, different skill work,” Connors said. “So I think it's been good for the group and hopefully when we get back together on Thursday we won't lose a step.”

The work was fun though. Case in point, linebacker Lorian Rugot wore a balloon over his birthday helmet last Friday.

“Obviously, this group knows how to have fun on the ice and the balance between hard work and fun,” Connors said. “The coaches ran a lot of games, we had a little competition cup between the two teams to keep the competitive energy high.”

There is no shortage of excitement to get back into action.

“I think we're very lucky, we're playing hockey,” Leslie said. “So it's fun to come to work every day. Some days were long, it was a long three weeks, not gonna lie, just practice and no games.

“We made the best of it and we know we're going to push each other to be ready for these last five games.”

Ryan watched his team as they coached Canada to a gold medal south of the border. She watched a workout stream made possible by Toronto video trainer Stephanie Thomson.

However, he stressed the importance of allowing his assistant coaches to practice while he regroups.

Now with three road games this month and two home contests to wrap up the regular season in early May, he will be banking on a result that will propel his team to the top of the PWHL standings.

“We want to pick it up where we left off a while ago,” Ryan said. “Obviously we want to find ways to win, but you have to focus a little bit on the playoffs and how we have to play to be ready for the playoffs.

“Also, we want to be in a position to prepare ourselves for success, not necessarily to win these five games. If you play well in these games, then there is no need to cut back. Your bench is so big that you don't need to overload one or two players.

“So you want to control it a little bit so we're fresh into the playoffs.”

With playoff spots not officially set and some teams looking to make a postseason push, Ryan sees the importance of finishing on a good note.

With 36 points, Toronto is one ahead of Minnesota, four ahead of Montreal and nine ahead of last-place playoff spot Ottawa. Boston (22 points) and New York (20) are fifth and sixth, but are not eliminated from playoff contention.

“We want to do everything we can to make sure we get to the playoffs first,” Ryan said. “It's unbelievable, we've got five games to go after the run we've had, you'd think we'd be pretty confident going into the play-offs, but we're not.

“This league is so tight, I think we can beat any opponent, but we know any opponent can beat us on any given night.”

This Canadian Press report was first published on April 16, 2024.

Abdulhamid Ibrahim, The Canadian Press