You’re a sunflower

The GIST: If you thought February’s 4 Nations Face-Off was feisty, buckle up — the 24th IIHF Women’s World Championship begins from Czechia today, with the globe’s 10 best women’s national hockey teams in action in the game’s top tourney.

• So while PWHL teams are on break until the end of the month, some spicy international rivalries are about to take the ice. Pass the milk.

How it works: The tourney features 10 teams split into Groups A and B, with the top five ranked countries in the former and the remaining five in the latter. All members of Group A, which includes world No. 1 and defending champs Canada and No. 2 U.S., earn an automatic berth to the quarter-finals, where they’ll be joined by the top three group play finishers from Group B.

• Due to the skill disparity in international women’s hockey, this format ensures the best squads play competitive games the entire time, though history indicates Canada and the U.S. will almost certainly duke it out in the final.

• They’re the only countries to ever win Worlds, not to mention the only other team that’s even competed for the gold medal is No. 3 Finland in 2019. Okay, dominance.

The rivalry to end all rivalries — Team USA vs. Team Canada: Sure, tempers were high when the North American men threw down in February, but the women’s rivalry is even more intense. The Canadians topped the Americans 6–5 in overtime to reclaim the Women’s World title last year, adding a lucky number 13th gold medal to their collection, compared to USA’s 10.

• Sunday’s 1 p.m. ET group play showdown between the U.S. and Canada will likely end up being a championship preview, but before we get there both teams will face fearsome Finland in their opening games.

• The Americans, anchored by incomparable captain Hilary Knight, take on the Finns today at 9 a.m. ET, while the Red and White, led by the legendary Marie-Philip Poulin, have their chance tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET. Let’s do that hockey.

There’s nothing like a Team Canada goal at the IIHF Women’s World Championship, from Geraldine Heaney’s 1990 gold medal game-winner to Marie-Philip Poulin’s 2021 overtime clincher. And this year, TELUS is upping the ante.

TELUS will donate $500 per goal (up to a grand total of $10K) to the Hockey Canada Foundation Assist Fund for every gino scored by the red and white at Women’s Worlds, helping Hockey Canada waive youth registration fees for the stars of tomorrow.

• And we know supporting access to youth hockey is crucial. Studies show that girls who play sports are more likely to lead, as 94% of female C-suite executives were once athletes.

On top of that, TELUS is giving away the ultimate Team Canada prize pack! Win a jersey signed by Team Canada, a new device, and a year of service.

🏒 NHL: Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning — Tonight at 7 p.m. ET — Sportsnet

• Lightning doesn’t strike twice, but Leafs forward Mitch Marner sure does, tallying eight points in his last five games. And with Toronto and Tampa neck-and-neck in the Atlantic Division standings, the Buds will hope Marner can stay hot with home-ice advantage on the line.

🏀 NBA: LA Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks — Tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET — TSN+

• It’s been over two months since the Mavs traded superstar Luka Dončić to the Lakers. And with the postseason looming, a lot more than pettiness is at stake in Dončić’s first visit to Dallas in the Purple and Gold. Pop — and we can’t stress this enough — that corn.

⛳ PGA: The Masters — Tomorrow through Sunday — TSN

• Savor last night’s Champions Dinner menu and the iconic $1.50 pimento cheese sandwiches (and keep an eye out for tomorrow’s special edition preview) because world No. 2 Rory McIlroy is set to swing for the elusive green jacket that’d complete his career grand slam.

The confetti’s settled, the trophies are claimed, and these GISTers have officially dominated The GIST’s college basketball bracket challenges:

🥇 Taking the crown: Megan F. took first place in the women’s challenge with 139 points, and Jiayin D. won the men’s challenge with 119 points. All hail the hoops heroes.

🥈 Hot on their heels: Christian D. came in second in the women’s challenge, and Murray M. secured second place in the men’s challenge, proving they know ball.

🥉 Rounding out the podium: Shara M. and Sarah M. clinched third-place prizes in the women’s and men’s challenges, respectively. Clutch.

Huge shoutout to everyone who played with us. If you’re hooked on the thrill of competition and want more chances to play your way, check out FanDuel — they offer tons of ways to get in the game all year long. Only 342 days until our next college basketball challenge tips off…but who’s counting?