Canada and U.S. ratchet up their cross-border rivalry to new heights in women's hockey world final

UTICA, N.Y. (AP) — Even with the sting of disappointment evident on her face, United States defenseman Caroline Harvey couldn’t help but acknowledge being part of something special. And riveting.

“I was just on the edge of my seat myself and excited for what was to come,” the 21-year-old said, detailing the relentless intensity put on display in a 6-5 overtime loss to Canada in the women’s world hockey championship gold medal game on Sunday. “The end was devastating. But I was excited to be out there and a part of it.”

Unnerving as it was for Canada coach Troy Ryan to deal with the momentum swings of an outing that featured three lead changes and neither team holding more than a one-goal edge, he enjoyed a brief moment of clarity at one point by telling himself: “I’d love to be a fan sitting up there having a beer watching this one.”

Cheers, to you.

In a 10-team tournament that had several nations — Finland, the Czech Republic and even upstart Germany — showing signs of closing the gap on the sport’s two traditional powers, leave it to the U.S. and Canada to ratchet the bar even higher.

Not once. But twice.

The thrilling finale, decided on Danielle Serdachny’s power-play goal 5:16 into overtime, came six days after the two rivals tangled in a fast-paced and physical 1-0 overtime win sealed by Kirsten Simms, one of four Americans making their tournament debuts.

In the big picture, the breath-taking outings were another reminder of why U.S. versus Canada in women’s hockey stands as the world’s fiercest rivalry, and showcased a sport that’s suddenly gaining traction in North America with this year’s launch of the Professional Women’s Hockey League.

And make no mistake, the PWHL was a predominant topic of discussion on and off the ice throughout the 12-day tournament. And it included league officials spending much of Saturday morning outlining plans with International Ice Hockey Federations officials that have the potential of changing the women’s hockey calendar, and having an even greater impact of growing the sport internationally.

The discussions revolved around moving the timing of the world championships from April so not to disrupt the PWHL season, which resumes on Thursday, with each of the league’s six teams having five games left.

Another topic was having the PWHL partner with European leagues in Sweden and Switzerland to became potential developmental partners. With the PWHL not considering expansion until after the 2024-25 season at the earliest, a feeder system becomes necessary to develop talent and provide women a place to play following their college careers.

PWHL roster spots are already at a premium even before its draft in June, which will feature a new crop of college graduates and with as many as 100 European players expected to declare being eligible for selection.

Though made up of mostly U.S. and Canadian national team players, the PWHL is eager to attract international talent if it intends to consider itself the world’s top women’s league. Many European federations already rely on their players developing at U.S. colleges, and consider the PWHL to be a natural extension.

“To see the popularity and fan base that’s come out, I think it’s phenomenal,” Switzerland coach Colin Muller told The Associated Press. “But I don’t know if we don’t need more teams. I think we have enough good hockey players for eight teams at least. And I think they should grow it a little faster for me.”

The PWHL is taking a more cautious approach to not grow too quickly, while acknowledging it still has numerous issues to sort out entering its second season. Among them are finding proper-sized venues, and making inroads in the New York City market, after failing to generate interest playing out of Bridgeport, Connecticut.

What everyone can agree on is the best way of bridging the competitive gap in women’s hockey is non-North American players having more opportunities to play with or against Americans and Canadians.

“We’re never playing against those teams. We always meet them here. So it’s tough to get on their level,” Czech goalie Klara Peslarova said, before breaking into a laugh. “Maybe they’re scared to meet us.”

As a stop-gap, the IIHF has had discussions with USA Hockey and Hockey Canada to at the very least have their Under-22 teams begin participating more regularly in European tournaments.

It remains to be seen how wide the gap remains, especially after the show put on by the U.S. and Canada on Sunday.

“I do think that’s a fair example of what an amazing sport women’s hockey is. And I think it’s a glimpse of where it could be, going forward,” U.S. coach John Wroblewski said. “I think the execution level can continue to rise, at which point the puck is moving at a speed similar to the men’s.”

AP Women’s Hockey: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey

Canada's Marie-Philip Poulin celebrates her goal on the United States with teammates during the third period of a gold medal game at the women's world hockey championships in Utica, N.Y., Sunday, April 14, 2024. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Canada players celebrate their overtime win over the United States during their gold medal game at the women's world hockey championships in Utica, N.Y., Sunday, April 14, 2024. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

United States players react following their loss to Canada in the gold medal game at the women's world hockey championships in Utica, N.Y., Sunday, April 14, 2024. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

United States forward Hilary Knight, center, celebrates with forwards Laila Edwards, left, and Tessa Janecke after scoring against Canada during the third period in the final at the IIHF Women's World Hockey Championships in Utica, N.Y., Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Canada forward Marie-Philip Poulin, top left, celebrates with defensewoman Renata Fast (14), forward Brianne Jenner (19), forward Sarah Fillier (10) and defensewoman Jocelyne Larocque after scoring against the United States during the third period in the final at the IIHF Women's World Hockey Championships in Utica, N.Y., Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Canada's Marie-Philip Poulin lifts the trophy following their gold medal win over United States at the women's world hockey championships in Utica, N.Y., Sunday, April 14, 2024. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Team Canada players pose with their medals after beating the United States in the final at the IIHF Women's World Hockey Championships in Utica, N.Y., Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Team Canada players pose with their gold medals and the championship cup after beating the United States in the final at the IIHF Women's World Hockey Championships in Utica, N.Y., Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

United States forward Hilary Knight, right, hugs Canada forward Marie-Philip Poulin after Canada won the final at the IIHF Women's World Hockey Championships in Utica, N.Y., Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee reliever Abner Uribe was suspended for six games and starter Freddy Peralta for five on Wednesday for their roles in a brawl during a Brewers’ game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Rays outfielder Jose Siri was suspended for three games, a penalty later cut to two, and Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy for two by Mike Hill, Major League Baseball’s senior vice president for on-field operations. All four also were fined.

Murphy started his suspension on Wednesday, when associate manager Rickie Weeks led the team against the Rays.

Uribe and Peralta appealed to MLB special assistant John McHale Jr., and their discipline remained pending until the appeal is resolved. Later Wednesday, Uribe was optioned to Triple-A Nashville.

Siri dropped his appeal as part of an agreement cutting the penalty to two games, and he served the first game as the Rays lost 7-1 Wednesday.

MLB cited Peralta for intentionally throwing at Siri, and Murphy was cited for Peralta's actions plus “inappropriate conduct towards umpires.” Uribe was disciplined for causing a benches-clearing incident and Siri for his actions during the incident.

Before Wednesday's game, Siri revealed a bruise on his left leg that he received after getting hit by a 3-0 fastball from Peralta in the sixth inning of the Brewers' 8-2 victory Tuesday. That incident led to the ejection of Peralta and Murphy.

The animosity between Siri and the Brewers had been building since he took a long look at his solo home run off Peralta in the third inning.

After Siri grounded out leading off the eighth against Uribe, the two exchanged words near first base and Uribe threw a punch at Siri, who then took a wild swing at the pitcher. Milwaukee first baseman Rhys Hoskins tried to break up the fight and was knocked to the ground as dugouts and bullpens emptied.

Siri wasn't in the Rays' starting lineup Wednesday but said he planned on getting treatment and would be available later in the game.

“He was the one who threw first. I don’t think I did anything bad,” Siri said through an interpreter. “Of course, I would expect (Uribe) to get a suspension. Me, I might even get a game or two.”

Siri said he remained unsure why Uribe took a swing at him.

“When I was in the on-deck circle and he was warming up I felt like he kept looking over at me and staring at me, so I just had that feeling,” Siri said. “Obviously, when I went to first base, I confirmed that he had a problem with me.”

Uribe assessed the situation after Tuesday's game.

“I think there were some words shared that didn’t have much to do with the game, that probably shouldn’t have been shared there in that exchange," he said through an interpreter.

Siri stressed on Wednesday he has no dispute with Peralta.

“I never really had a problem with Peralta. Never have,” he said. “He hit me, and I just went to first base.”

Siri said celebrations by pitchers and batters alike are part of the game but insisted that he wasn’t trying to show up Peralta.

“I don’t think I did anything wrong. I stood there. I didn’t look at it. I put my head down and just ran,” he said.

Murphy had been ejected from each of the Brewers' previous two games. He was tossed from a 1-0 loss to Tampa Bay on Monday after arguing with a decision that kept the Brewers from scoring the tying run in the ninth inning.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Tampa Bay Rays' Jose Siri (22) fights with Milwaukee Brewers' Abner Uribe, middle, during the eighth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Tampa Bay Rays' Jose Siri, left, fights with Milwaukee Brewers' Abner Uribe, middle, during the eighth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Abner Uribe (45) is held back by Quintin Berry (33) as he fights with Tampa Bay Rays' Jose Siri (22) during the eighth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)