PWHL Toronto had a poor start and a disappointing end to their inaugural season, but in the middle there was plenty to be proud of. The team reflected on their season.
If you looked at the start and finish of PWHL Toronto's season, you wouldn't see a team that went on a dominant 11-game winning streak midseason and locked up a playoff spot long before the rest of the PWHL.
Toronto started with a tough stretch, and ended with one losing three straight to PWHL Minnesota after jumping out to a 2-0 series lead to end their season in the opening round of the PWHL playoffs.
“Tough right now," said Toronto head coach Troy Ryan after the game. "We just had a brief chat as a group, and I think there’s so much to be proud of. I think, in reflection, we’re going to look back on this year and be very proud of what this group in Toronto accomplished, but even probably more proud about what the PWHL has accomplished."
Despite that positivity, Toronto fell shy of the PWHL finals where most predicted they'd be. After finishing first, Toronto got to choose their opponent and picked Minnesota. But following the first game of the playoffs, a 4-0 win for Toronto, Minnesota shut down Toronto, including the deciding 4-1 win.
"I said it to the group, I think they laid it all out on the ice tonight. They laid it on the line. Everybody competed and battled and gave us a chance to win that hockey game. So, I think, even tonight in a loss, there’s plenty to be proud of as well.”
Toronto found the positives in the moment, particularly reflecting on the season that was.
“I think it was unbelievable all season, regardless of what rink we played in, our fans showed up and cheered us on; even in the dark days early on, they supported us and they stuck with us and trusted that we would come out on top," said captain Blayre Turnbull. "To hear them support us throughout the duration of that game, and especially at the end [of the game] when it wasn’t looking good, it meant a lot to us.”
PWHL Toronto will now watch as Boston and Minnesota play for the inaugural Walter Cup title.
Next up for Toronto is selecting 6th overall at the PWHL Draft, followed by the opening of free agency on June 21, where Toronto will look to solidify their roster for next season.