The Toronto Sceptres returned home to a sold-out crowd for their Professional Women's Hockey League home opener on Saturday, November 29, 2025, but couldn't convert their dominance into a victory, falling 3-1 to the Boston Fleet.
Despite controlling the game from the opening faceoff and outshooting Boston 25-12, the Sceptres watched their early momentum evaporate after Blayre Turnbull's first-period, short-handed goal. Boston goaltender Aerin Frankel stood tall with 24 saves, while a lucky bounce and one defensive breakdown proved costly for Toronto.
Defensive Dominance Undone by Critical Moments
The Sceptres' defensive performance was exceptional for most of the game. They limited the Fleet to just 12 shots, the lowest total by any team in a full game this PWHL season. Goaltender Raygan Kirk was solid when tested, stopping a breakaway from former Sceptre Laura Kluge and making the initial save on Jill Saulnier's shot before the rebound bounced in off Abby Newhook for Boston's first goal.
The game-winning goal came in the third period when Susanna Tapani found herself unchecked in the high slot and hammered home a feed from behind the net. Beyond that defensive lapse and Boston's empty-net insurance marker, Toronto gave the visitors very little.
Offensive Struggles and Power Play Woes
Toronto's offence failed to capitalize on their overwhelming possession. The absence of leading scorer Daryl Watts, out with an upper-body injury sustained in the season opener, was noticeable. Head coach Troy Ryan acknowledged the challenge, stating, "We've got to be better offensively and we're not going to solve this in five or six games. It will probably take a while."
Ryan pointed to a lack of composure and poor weak-side play as factors that limited the quality of their scoring chances against Frankel. The Sceptres also continued to struggle on the power play, going 0-for-3 and bringing their season total to 0-for-6. A late opportunity with just over five minutes remaining resulted in zero shots and difficulty even entering the offensive zone.
Bright Spots and Looking Ahead
Despite the loss, there were positive takeaways. Emma Maltais received high praise from Coach Ryan for her performance after transitioning from wing to centre. "I've been around Emma since she was an underager at the U18 level and that might be the best, most mature 60 minutes of hockey I have seen her play," Ryan said, highlighting her composure and two-way game.
The line of Maltais, Natalie Spooner, and Sara Hjalmarsson (who filled in for Watts) spent most of the night in the Boston zone but couldn't solve Frankel. Ryan noted that against elite goaltenders, his team needs to create more traffic and second-chance opportunities.
The Sceptres look to bounce back when they host the Ottawa Charge on Thursday at the Coca-Cola Coliseum with a 7 p.m. puck drop.
