By Matthew Joseph
The Toronto Sceptres defeated the Boston Fleet 4-2 on Friday night in the PWHL’s 100th game to date.
Sceptres captain Blayre Turnbull opened the scoring with a power-play goal for Toronto late in the first period, sending the sold out Coca-Cola Coliseum into a frenzy. The goal was assisted by defender Renata Fast, extending her point streak to six games in a row, with an assist in each.
Boston’s early penalty trouble halted any momentum they had, handing the advantage to Toronto. The Fleet took three penalties in the first period, including a 5-on-3.
“We had success being physical last year and I think we gotta find the fine line,” said Boston Coach Courtney Birchard-Kessel. “You don’t want to be in the box because it’s gonna cost us.”
Jessica Kondas, the newest member of the Sceptres, scored her first career goal in her first PWHL game with a beautiful shot upstairs that beat Fleet goalie Aerin Frankle. Frankle held a league-best .934 save percentage heading into the game.
Kondas described how “awesome” of a moment that was for her. She has been a reserve player for the Sceptres since last season.
“It’s just part of this league, it's competitive. I dealt with it last year and you just have to accept your role and always be ready," said Kondas. “I think it was Christmas eve when I found out that I was coming up, so it was kind of like an early Christmas present—you’re not gonna say no, right?”
With Ryland MacKinnon suspended for one game due to an illegal check to the head in the previous game against the Montreal Victoire, Sceptres' head coach Troy Ryan chose to make use of their reserve players instead of dressing an extra forward.
“I don’t think people outside our team understand how hard it is to be a reserve player," said Ryan. “You show up every day and work your butt off just to practice and to train with the team and not to play games.”
Ryan added that Kondas’ efforts reflected who she is as a teammate.
“She wasn’t put in the game to score a goal but for her to be rewarded that way, it's very exciting and we’re also happy for her,” he said.
Another fresher face in the Sceptres lineup, Raygan Kirk had herself a night in net for Toronto, making 26 saves on 28 shots. This was Kirk’s second-ever PWHL start—her second straight—since relieving Kristen Campbell in her debut against Montreal a week prior.
“‘We thought long and hard and just decided that she deserved another start and she looked even more comfortable,” said Ryan. “I thought (she) made some big saves and played well.”
In the second period, the Sceptres got into some penalty trouble of their own. Renata Fast’s second penalty of the game—for interference—led to a power play goal by Boston’s Loren Gabel.
The two teams played a tight game well into the third period, until forward Emma Woods sniped a goal for the Sceptres to improve their lead to 3-1. Kali Flanagan then added an empty netter to seal the deal for Toronto.
Nevertheless, the game didn’t quite end there.
Things heated up late in the game when Toronto’s Darryl Watts retaliated against a Boston hit, leading to a power play for the Fleet. Forward Hannah Bilka capitalized with a goal to make it 4-2. The goal, initially waved off, was overturned after a successful coach’s challenge by Boston’s staff. However, the effort came too late to change the outcome.
The Sceptres put an end to their four-game losing streak with this win over the Fleet.
“We didn’t get off to the start we wanted this season but in the last two games, we have really picked it up and started playing more together…that’s when people get rewarded with points on the score sheet,” said Turnbull.
“I think those points come from playing the right way and making smart, hard hockey plays.”
The Toronto Sceptres are back in action on New Year’s Eve when they face the Ottawa Charge on Tuesday, December 31st, at 7:00pm EST.
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