NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Noora Tulus scored the first of four New York goals in the second period and the Sirens used the momentum to post a 4-2 victory over the Toronto Sceptres on Wednesday night in their home opener.
The onslaught had the oddity of including the first PWHL goal for Tulus, captain Micah Zandee-Hart and Emmy Fecteau. Jaime Bourbonnais also scored.
“We could hear the fans from the bench tonight, they were really loud, and I think we are so grateful to have such good fans," Fecteau said. "I would say they brought the energy today and that really helped us through this win.”
The goals by Zandee-Hart and Bourbonnais were scored on the power play and the Sirens scored on two of four power plays. Toronto was 0-for-1 with the advantage.
Toronto scored twice in the third, Hannah Miller picking up her second goal of the season in the third minute, and Kali Flanagan scoring unassisted with 30 seconds remaining.
“I mean, it’s a different season, it’s a different team, right? I think that last year, although we were losing in the beginning, we were playing the right way," Toronto forward Emma Maltais said. "I think this is a different kind of battle where we just need to figure out how to play 60 minutes of hockey the right way.”
After being outshot 14-7 in the second period, the Sceptres applied the pressure in the third, with a 14-9 advantage. New York (2-1-0-1) finished with 30 shots; Toronto (1-0-0-3) with 29.
Corinne Schroeder stopped 27 shots for New York and Toronto's Kristen Campbell stopped 26.
Toronto dominated the series 4-1 in last season's inaugural run for the PWHL.
The Sceptres have lost three in a row, matching their longest losing streak of last season.
“We have to try and re-evaluate where we’re at right now as a group," head coach Troy Ryan said. "I would find it hard to find anybody that’s pleased or happy with our play as a group right now. Just need to be better.
"I think the talent is there, there’s enough skill in our group – I think we’re lacking a bit of mentality right now.”
Toronto hosts Montreal on Saturday.
New York will play at home against Minnesota on Sunday.
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AP women’s hockey: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey
The Associated Press