Daryl Watts scored twice for the Toronto Sceptres as they handed the New York Sirens a punishing blow to their playoff hopes. Toronto defeated New York 2-1 in front of 8,351 fans, keeping New York at the bottom of the PWHL standings.
Watts opened the scoring late in the first unassisted, and recorded her eighth of the season only 1:20 into the second period.
“I try to generate a lot of speed in the neutral zone and then carry that momentum, cut across,” said Watts. “I think it is really challenging for the defender to have to set up or pivot, swivel their hips to try and keep playing me as I cut across. Hopefully I’m more consistent coming through the end of the season.”
Alex Carpenter banked home a fluke goal to pull New York within one later in the second period, but that’s as close as the Sirens would get.
Kristen Campbell looked like the reigning PWHL goaltender of the year stopping 27 shots in the win.
“Great to get the three points,” said Toronto head coach Troy Ryan. “I think we’re very happy as those are three points that are going to be important for us. I gave a message to the group after the game just about our standards… we’d like to know, or to think, that they’re better than that performance. It doesn’t take anything away from the win and the three points because there are a lot of great things from that game. I tried to give a little story about if someone new was coming to the rink tonight to see the Sceptres for the first time, could they leave the rink knowing what we do well? And I don’t think they could tonight.”
New York’s Playoff Hopes Take A Significant Blow
Every point is important for the New York Sirens right now. After snapping their nine game losing streak with a 3-2 overtime win against Montreal last week, New York beat Minnesota 4-1 in Detroit to breathe life into their playoff hopes. As quickly as that occurred however, Toronto knocked the Sirens down a notch. With only six games remaining in the season, New York now sits with 27 points. They trail fourth place Minnesota by eight points, and are 18 points behind first place Montreal.
New York’s total of 27 points in 24 games is a one point improvement on their performance during the inaugural 2024 season. That year New York finished last with 26 points in 24 games.
