The New York Sirens took on Toronto Wednesday night to finally play their home opener at the Prudential Center in Newark. New York came in with a 1-1-1 record after falling to Boston last Sunday on the road 4-2 and sat in 3rd place with five points. The visiting Sceptres entered the game sitting at the bottom of the PWHL with only three points, looking to spoil the home opener for NY.
The fans filed in, and after the pregame ceremonies were finished, it was time for Sirens hockey for just the third time ever at the Prudential Center. The first period came and went as both teams were held scoreless but still were able to put good shots on goal. Corrine Schroeder turned away all eight shots that Toronto put on goal to keep it tied at zero heading into the intermission.
The second period was a complete 180 as the Sirens came out firing on all cylinders from the jump. Noora Tulus got the scoring going, finding the back of the net off a beautiful feed from Alex Carpenter, for her first goal of the season.
Firsts would become a theme in the period, as Emmy Fecteau notched her first goal under five minutes later to put New York up 2-0. On the goal, Jade Downie-Landry and Chloe Aurard each tallied their first assists of the young season.
The Sirens went on their first power play of the night under a minute later after Toronto’s Emma Woods west sent to the box. It took New York just ten seconds to capitalize, as Micah Zandee-Hart netted a wrister from just inside the blue line to make it 3–0 Sirens. The goal was the captains first of the year and was assisted by Jesse Eldridge.
Did the Sirens have one more “first” left before the period came to an end? You bet! With two Sceptres sent to the penalty box, New York had a 5-on-3 advantage and once again capitalized. This time it was Jaime Bourbonnais, following her shot and finding the back of the net for her first goal of the year! The Sirens finished the period with 14 shots on goal to Toronto’s seven, and carried a 4-0 lead heading into the final frame.
The Sceptres showed signs of life early in the third period, with Hannah Miller scoring her second goal of the year as Toronto put some pressure on Schroeder. Both teams had players sent to the penalty box after a fight broke out around the Toronto net, getting the crowd and team fired up.
Toronto continued to fire shots on goal and got one by Schroeder with 33.2 seconds left but it was too little too late, and New York earned three points in a home opening win. The 8 points are good for first place as the Sirens now sit atop the PWHL standings.
Stars of the Game:
3rd Star: Noora Tulus – 1 Goal
2nd Star: Micah Zandee-Hart – 1 Goal
1st Star – Corinne Schroeder 27 saves
