Outshooting their opponent again by a healthy margin, this time the Toronto Sceptres were rewarded with a 3-1 victory over a Charge team that relied on Gwyneth Philips heavily. But there are positive signs of life from the power play and role players. Here’s a closer look at the biggest takeaways. 1. TORONTO’S DEFENSIVE STRUCTURE SET THE TONE EARLY. For much of the night, the Sceptres dictated the terms without needing dramatic moments to do it. Their five-player defensive shape limited Ottawa to four shots in the first period and only 11 through 40 minutes. Gaps were tight, rebounds were cleared quickly, and there were very few second-chance opportunities. It was a composed, disciplined effort that allowed Toronto to control the game even when their finishing lagged behind their possession. 2. CLEANER EXITS LED TO MORE PURPOSEFUL OFFENSE. One of the notable improvements from earlier games was how efficiently Toronto moved the puck out of their own zone. Breakouts were crisper and, as a result, the Sceptres were able to carry speed through the neutral zone rather than defaulting to dump-and-chase play. Those controlled entries didn’t always translate into immediate chances, but they tilted the ice and sustained pressure over long stretches. 3. OTTAWA STRUGGLED TO GENERATE COHESION UNTIL THE FINAL FRAME. Between penalties and broken offensive sequences, Ottawa had difficulty establishing any meaningful rhythm in the first two periods. Their forwards were often disconnected, and their zone time was brief and peripheral. The third period was a different story: their forecheck became more coordinated, and they finally forced Toronto into extended defensive shifts. But that late push underscored how limited their impact had been earlier. Quick takes: Sceptres 3, Charge 1 4. ELAINE CHULI RECOVERED FROM A DIFFICULT START. Chuli’s first goal against was one she will want back, but her response afterward was steady. She made two important stops late in the second period and held her structure through Ottawa’s third-period surge. While she looked scrambly at times, she was effective when the game tightened, giving Toronto the stability they needed to close it out. 5. NATALIE SPOONER’S GAME CONTINUES TO BUILD. Spooner’s net-front goal was significant, but her overall play carried greater meaning. She created separation with power through the neutral zone, generated a mini-breakaway, and generally looked more like the version of herself Toronto relies on to drive offense. It was a noticeable step forward in her early-season trajectory. (She was given the team's 'Pretty Woman' jacket after the game as a sign of how well she played). Daryl Watts was the first star of the game (1G, 1A) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/eab401fe-50b4-4255-b0a7-27b2925f38aa.jpeg] Daryl Watts was the first star of the game (1G, 1A) 6. TORONTO’S MIDDLE SIX REMAINS IN FLUX. A mid-game adjustment saw Claire Dalton elevated and Maggie Connors moved down, a sign the coaching staff is still working to solidify roles and combinations behind the top line. It’s not a sign of concern so much as early-season refinement, but the contrast between the fully operational first line and the still-shifting depth group was evident. 7. GWYNETH PHILLIPS KEPT OTTAWA COMPETITIVE. Despite Toronto’s territorial advantage, Ottawa remained within reach largely because of Phillips’ performance. Her first-period glove-and-stick save on Blayre Turnbull was one of the game’s standout moments, and she handled several high-danger situations on Toronto’s multiple power plays.
