The Toronto Sceptres snapped a four game losing streak with consistent zone pressure and a night of firsts, although their penalty kill continues to struggle.
The Toronto Sceptres snapped a four game losing streak with consistent zone pressure and a night of firsts, although their penalty kill continues to struggle.
The Toronto Sceptres snapped their losing streak as they pulled out a tight 4-2 victory over the Boston Fleet.
Here are three takeaways from the game.
Toronto finds consistent pressure
The Toronto Sceptres, for the first time this season, were able to play the offensive style they have wanted to. All season the Sceptres have struggled to find sustained time in the offensive zone and tonight they finally controlled the puck.
This was most prevalent in the first ten minutes of the second period, where the Boston Fleet could not escape their zone for any length of time. This allowed Toronto to wear down Boston’s defenders and create second chances off rebounds against tired blueliners, who inevitably made mistakes.
This time in the zone also led to the majority of the high quality offensive chances Toronto generated in the game.
The Sceptres were able to get 14 shots in front of the crease and high slot.
A night of firsts
Despite the Sceptres not getting the results they wanted to start the season, they were able to get consistent production from every part of their lineup. That was no different Friday as three of Toronto’s goals came from first time goal scorers this season.
Most notably in the second period, Jessica Kondas, in her first PWHL game picked the top corner with a bullet to extend the Sceptres lead to two.
In addition to Kondas, Blayre Turnbull and Kali Flanagan scored their first goals of the season to help seal the victory.
“It’s fun, we didn’t get off to the start we wanted to but our last two games we have really picked it up and played more like a team and that’s when you will see more people get rewarded,” said Turnbull. “Those points come from playing the right way and making smart, hard hockey plays.”
In the crease Raygan Kirk also secured her first career PWHL win, making 26 saves on 28 shots. One of these saves was a critical one against Hannah Brandt on a breakaway in the first period to keep Toronto’s lead alive.
Penalty kill continues to struggle
A consistent theme this season has been the struggles of the Sceptres penalty kill and it continued to struggle to find success against the Fleet.
The Sceptres allowed both of their goals against on the penalty kill and once again it was shots from the point that gave them issues. Both of Boston's goals started with a player having too much time at the point and finding a lane to shoot the puck.
Toronto struggled to apply pressure to the point so that they don’t allow as many shots from the high slot onto the net. They also didn't box players out. On Megan Keller’s goal in the third period, Hannah Bilka was left wide open in front of the net allowing her to tip the puck and get in Kirk line of sight.