Canada’s Watts cleared to play in women’s world hockey championship final

CESKE BUDEJOVICE, Czechia — Canadian women’s hockey team forward Daryl Watts has been cleared to play the world championship final.

Watts was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for an illegal check to the head or neck at 1:08 of the third period of Canada’s 8-1 semifinal win over Finland. 

The 25-year-old from Toronto, who had scored two goals in the game, delivered an open-ice hit on Finland’s captain Michelle Karvinen.

The tournament’s disciplinary panel determined the play didn’t require further discipline and the on-ice penalty was warranted and sufficient.

Watts, who plays for the PWHL’s Toronto Sceptres, has four goals and an assist in six games in her world championship debut.

Canada and the United States clash for the gold medal later Sunday with the Canadians seeking to defend their title.

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