On Sunday, Dec. 21, the New York Sirens hosted the Toronto Sceptres for their first meeting of the 2025-26 Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) season. The game began with each team scoring one goal in the first period. The Sceptres opened the scoring early in the second, but the Sirens answered with a power-play goal. Unfortunately for New York, Emma Maltais gave Toronto the lead back just a minute and change after.
While the Sirens pulled the goaltender in an attempt to even the score, Jesse Compher scored her third goal with an empty-net chance. The Sirens scored just 21 seconds later, but it was not enough, and the Sceptres took the 4-3 victory.
Kaltounkova’s Two Goals Were Huge for New York
The Sirens might have only scored three goals in this game, but two of them were from none other than Sirens rookie Kristyna Kaltounkova.
Late in the first period, Kaltounova passed the puck to Sarah Fillier, who took a shot from the faceoff dot. Elaine Chuli made the initial save, but Kaltounkova picked up the rebound to score the Sirens’ first of the game.
Early in the second, Emma Maltais took a seat for interference. On the power play, Maja Nylen Persson had the puck at the blue line. She sent it up to Casey O’Brien at the faceoff dot. Eerily similar to the first period chance, O’Brien took a shot, but it was deflected. Kaltounkova picked up the rebound to send it home and tie the game once more.
Kaltounkova has already been making an impact for this Sirens team, scoring three goals in seven games. In the past two games, she has been paired up with Fillier and Anne Cherkowski on the top line. With the two goals in this game and an assist for both members of Kaltounkova’s line, this trio is finally beginning to find some chemistry now that they have been grouped together. Let’s hope they can continue this momentum if coach Greg Fargo decides to keep the lines the same in the future.
Girard Proved the Sirens Didn’t Quit
Although the Sirens were down by two with a minute and a half left in the game, Taylor Girard made sure to show that the Sirens were not giving up just yet.
As the clock dwindled down, the Sirens began making a desperate drive towards the net. Maddi Wheeler had the puck by the boards, but it was knocked loose from her stick. The loose puck found Girard, who sent a shot towards Chuli. She blocked the initial one, but the rebound found Girard once more. With a second chance, she gave the Sirens hope within the last minute and change of the game.
Related: Compher’s 3 Points Lead Sceptres to 4-3 Victory Over Sirens
Girard hasn’t scored a goal since her hat trick in the Sirens’ season opener against the Ottawa Charge. With how often she has been driving towards the net, it only made sense for her to finally net a goal. She has had great offensive chances, but now she finally gets to put her name on the scoresheet for the first time since Nov. 22.
Sirens Need to Find a Way to Break the Losing Streak
The Sirens have now lost their last four games in a row, including getting shut out twice in a row. Before this game, New York played eight periods of scoreless hockey. At least they broke the cycle in this game, but something has to give in order for the Sirens to win their next game.
Is it the lines? Coach Fargo has only been running with these lines for two games now. Is Kayle Osborne getting worn down? She has played all seven of the Sirens games, not allowing her to rest or start either Callie Shanahan or Kaley Doyle. Perhaps the break will be needed while the Sirens evaluate their next course of action.
Sirens Head to a Neutral Site
The Sirens will play their next game Sunday, Dec. 28, a full week from this game against the Sceptres. The Sirens will take on the Seattle Torrent at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, as a part of the PWHL Takeover Tour. Perhaps playing on neutral ice will give the Sirens the push they need to try to get back in the win column.
The season series will continue in Toronto on Jan. 6.
