Toronto's Offense Clicks: Here's What Worked In Toronto's First PWHL Win

PWHL Toronto picked up their first ever win. After being shut out in their opener, Toronto found ways to score in game two. Here's a look from Curtis Martin.

PWHL Toronto’s offensive touch in the dirty areas and a shorthanded goal helped propel them over New York to secure their first win of the season.

The franchise's first goal from Natalie Spooner and a shorthanded goal from Emma Maltais late in the third period provided Toronto enough of an edge to exact revenge against New York with a 3-2 win on the road.

Here are the keys to Toronto's win:

After not being able to find the back of the net in their first four periods of the season, Toronto was finally able to get on the score sheet. A net front presence was key. Both Spooner and Vasko’s goals came off rebounds produced in the crease that they were able to bang home in order to provide some much-needed offence.

Net front presence was something that coach Troy Ryan wanted to see change in his team's game after their 4-0 loss on Monday.

“We didn't establish the forecheck in the first period and then we were able to get it going in the second period and create some offence below the goal line,” said Ryan.

His team delivered as all three of Toronto’s goals in the game were scored in or just outside the blue paint off of rebounds.

Through the first two games, Emma Maltais has been a standout for Toronto. This was highlighted by her game-winning shorthanded goal as she drove hard to the net to pot in the rebound. The goal was one of just five shots Maltias put on the net during the game, the most of any player on Toronto Friday night.

It’s not just her offensive game that’s impressed, but her ability to forecheck and create chances for her linemates is something that will have her sticking at center on the second line with Maggie Connors and Natalie Spooner.

“I thought she had a great game today. She was good at both ends of the rink,” said Ryan. “She had some key face-offs and it’s nice to see her get some success offensively as well, but she was instrumental in our success on the penalty kill.”

On top of this, Maltais' chippy play and ability to lay the body allow her to bring energy to the team and be a pest for opponents at both ends of the ice.

“I pride myself on being a physical player,” said Maltias. “Although I've got a shorter stature, I pride myself on being difficult to play against. So I'm happy with that role and I think if you let us play like that people are more inclined to watch.”

Despite ending up with the win, Toronto once again struggled to find their game in the first period. For the second game in a row, they found themselves trailing early after Abby Roque scored the first goal of the game for New York just under four minutes into the opening frame.

Part of Toronto's struggles in the first were due to a lack of offensive pressure at even strength. They could not find consistent time in the offensive zone and had their shots kept out of the slot area.

Toronto’s shots were primarily kept outside of the dots. To be exact only two of their 11 first-period shots were in a high-danger area. Both of these shots came on the team’s 5-on-3 power play late in the period.

Toronto was able to turn this around in the second period, but slow starts will be a need to address as the season progresses.

“We're still trying to sort out who we are as a team and what makes us successful,” said Ryan. “Even though we've played New York now three times in a row, we haven't dove into countering what they're doing a whole lot. We're still trying to figure out what makes us successful, so that's been the focus so far this season.”

Toronto takes to the ice again on Wednesday as they travel to take on Minnesota. Puck drop is at 9:00 PM EST.