Ten University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey alumni will participate in the inaugural Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) Playoffs, set to begin May 8.
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The first best-of-five semifinal series pits top-seeded PWHL Toronto and former Bulldog All-American Jocelyne Larocque against PWHL Minnesota and four former UMD standouts, including forwards Michela Cava and Sydney Brodt, defenseman Maggie Flaherty and goaltender Maddie Rooney.Â
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Semifinal two will feature PWHL Montreal and former Bulldog defenseman Catherine Daoust against PWHL Boston, with two former UMD defenseman in Sidney Morin and Jessica Healey, as well as Bulldog All-American goaltender Emma Soderberg. UMD and Swedish national team legend Pernillia Winberg also serves as an assistant coach for Boston.
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By finishing as the league's first place team in the regular-season standings, Toronto earned the opportunity to select its opponent between third place Boston and fourth place. The winners of each series will advance to the PWHL Finals where they will compete for the Walter Cup.Â
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PWHL Playoffs Schedule:Â
Toronto (1) vs Minnesota (4)Â
Wednesday May 8
Game 1: Minnesota at Toronto (Coca-Cola Coliseum) at 7:00 p.m. ETÂ
Friday May 10
Game 2: Minnesota at Toronto (Coca-Cola Coliseum) at 7:00 p.m. ETÂ
Monday May 13
Game 3: Toronto at Minnesota (Xcel Energy Center) at 8:00 p.m. ETÂ
Wednesday May 15*
Game 4: Toronto at Minnesota (Xcel Energy Center) at 8:00 p.m. ETÂ
Friday May 17*
Game 5: Minnesota at Toronto (Coca-Cola Coliseum) at 7:00 pm. ETÂ
*If necessaryÂ
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Montréal (2) vs Boston (3)Â
Thursday May 9
Game 1: Boston at Montréal (Place Bell) at 7:00 p.m. ETÂ
Saturday May 11
Game 2: Boston at Montréal (Place Bell) at 7:00 p.m. ETÂ
Tuesday May 14
Game 3: Montréal at Boston (Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell) at 7:00 p.m. ETÂ
Thursday May 16*
Game 4: Montréal at Boston (Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell) at 7:00 p.m. ETÂ
Sunday May 19*
Game 5: Boston at Montréal (Place Bell) at 7:00 p.m. ETÂ
*If necessary