Ever since sports returned to playing games during the pandemic, bubbles have become synonymous with competition. The thing about bubbles, though, is sometimes they burst.
In early February, the National Women's Hockey League shut down its bubble in Lake Placid, New York because of positive COVID tests among players and coaches, halting the momentum of what had been an exciting experiment.
“I was 12 hours away from history," said NWHL Commissioner Tyler Tumminia the night the league made the announcement. "And I think, I mean I gotta tell you, it’s really just frustrating and breaks my heart.”
The suspension slammed the brakes on what was going to be a nationally televised Isobel Cup Final and a chance for the NWHL to bask in a major media spotlight.
“It’s one of those things that, you know, you do everything you can and everything in your power to try and control this pandemic and control exposures. And sometimes everyone’s best effort doesn’t work," said Karilyn Pilch, the Pride's general manager.
Now hopes are renewed as the Boston Pride, Toronto Six, Minnesota Whitecaps and Connecticut Whale are playing a four-team, single-elimination playoff at Warrior Ice Arena, the home of the Pride, for the final chapter in a season full of trials. NBC Sports Network will air the games nationally.
