Canada's Watts avoids suspension for gold-medal game
The IIHF didn't suspend Team Canada forward Daryl Watts for her illegal check to the head and neck of Finland's Michelle Karvinen on Saturday, making her eligible to take on the United States in the gold medal game at the Women's World Championship on Sunday.
The 25-year-old was assessed a major penalty and a game misconduct for the hit on Karvinen in Saturday's semifinal. Watts tallied two goals in the game before being ejected.
Canada's Daryl Watts was given a five-minute major and game misconduct for contact to the head on this hit. pic.twitter.com/ogtnFAQWkb
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 19, 2025
Watts' four goals are tied for third with Canada's Marie-Philip Poulin and USA's Kelly Pannek. She has five points in six games.
The Toronto Sceptres winger was playing in her debut Women's Worlds. Watts has 11 goals and 26 points in 27 PWHL contests this season to rank third in league scoring. A phenom in school at Boston College and Wisconsin, Watts was the first rookie to win the Patty Kazmaier Award, and she's one of the highest scoring players in NCAA women's hockey history.
Canada is looking to win the Women's Worlds for the second straight year and the fourth time in the past five events. The gold-medal game starts at 12 p.m. ET.