In a decisive Professional Women's Hockey League matchup, the Toronto Sceptres secured a 3-1 victory over the visiting Ottawa Charge on Thursday, December 4, 2025. The win was highlighted by a pivotal go-ahead goal from veteran forward Natalie Spooner.
Sceptres Overcome Early Deficit for Home Win
The Ottawa Charge struck first, taking an early lead just 1:45 into the first period. Fanuza Kadirova capitalized on a lead pass from Samantha Isbell, sliding the puck past Toronto goaltender Elaine Chuli.
Toronto responded with relentless pressure, outshooting Ottawa 18-4 in the opening period and 37-17 overall. Despite numerous chances, Charge netminder Gwyneth Philips stood tall, making several key saves including a highlight-reel stop on Blayre Turnbull in the first.
The Sceptres' persistence paid off in the second period. Daryl Watts evened the score at 2:22, wiring a shot over Philips's left shoulder. The goal marked Toronto's first power-play conversion in ten attempts this season, a welcome sign for a team that led the PWHL with a 25.8% power-play rate last year.
Spooner Seals the Deal in Second Period
The game's turning point came with 7:01 remaining in the second frame. Natalie Spooner tipped a pass from Daryl Watts past Philips to score her first goal of the season, giving the Sceptres a lead they would not relinquish.
Blayre Turnbull sealed the 3-1 final score with an empty-net goal late in the game. Elaine Chuli finished with 16 saves for the win, while Gwyneth Philips was credited with 34 stops for Ottawa in a strong losing effort.
The game marked a poignant return for Ottawa head coach Carla MacLeod, who was back behind the bench following her breast cancer diagnosis the previous week.
Battle on Bay Street Returns to Scotiabank Arena
In related team news, the Sceptres announced they will return to Scotiabank Arena for the third annual "Battle on Bay Street" on January 17, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET. They will face the expansion Vancouver Goldeneyes at the home of the NHL's Maple Leafs and NBA's Raptors.
The event has become a marquee date on the Toronto sports calendar. The Sceptres have drawn sellout crowds in their two previous Scotiabank Arena appearances:
- 19,285 fans attended a 3-0 win over Montreal on February 16, 2024.
- 19,285 fans returned for a 4-2 victory over New York on January 25, 2025.
"The game at Scotiabank Arena is easily one of the most exciting games of the year," said Sceptres defender Renata Fast. "The energy there the last two seasons has been incredible... Playing in front of 19,000 passionate fans at home is an experience you can’t really put into words."
The January matchup will also feature the return of several former Sceptres players now with Vancouver, including Sarah Nurse, Hannah Miller, Kristen Campbell, and Izzy Daniel. It will be Toronto's final home game before the PWHL breaks for the Milan Cortina Olympics from January 29 to February 25, 2026.
With the win, Toronto improved its record to 2-0-0-1, while Ottawa moved to 1-0-0-3. The Sceptres next visit the Montreal Victoire on Sunday, while the Charge travel to face the Vancouver Goldeneyes on Tuesday.
