Five Observations from Sceptres vs. Victoire

This past weekend, I finally had the chance to attend my first PWHL game, as the Toronto Sceptres hosted the Montréal Victoire on Saturday afternoon. Montréal won 4-3 in overtime thanks to a quick goal from Laura Stacey in the teams’ final game before a holiday break.

Here are five things I saw of note during Saturday’s game:

1.   It was a damn good hockey game.

Regardless of which team you were rooting for (or if you were a neutral observer like myself), this was just a downright phenomenal hockey game to watch. Both teams really seemed to have brought their A-game, and the hockey was fast and skilled. It was a back-and-forth game, between Toronto scoring two quick goals late in the first period and Montréal tying it midway through the second. It always kept you on the edge of your seat, and even the overtime winner – as quick as it was – was a thriller.

2.   Oh my, Abby Boreen.

This game is a few days old by now, but man, I can’t stop thinking about Abby Boreen’s goal to open the scoring for Montréal in the second period. She pulled off a couple really incredible moves that would be impressive for anyone, but it’s even more awe-inspiring when you realize she did this against Renata Fast, one of the best defenders in the world.

After the game, Victoire head coach Kori Cheverie noted that Boreen is fitting in nicely with her new team, and the experience she brings after having played with Minnesota last season really takes her up a notch. Boreen has four points in as many games this season, after recording five points in nine games last season with Minnesota.

3.   The goaltending was spectacular.

Saturday’s game saw both teams utilize their second goaltenders, as Raygan Kirk got her first PWHL start and Elaine Chuli got the hometown start with Ann-Renée Desbiens out sick. It was a great showcase of just how strong the goaltending is in this league and how much depth these rosters have.

Kirk saw her first PWHL action last week, playing 19:45 in relief of Kristen Campbell in a 4-2 loss. Rewarding her play in that game with her first career pro start feels like the right move, and despite the loss, Kirk stood tall. She made 35 saves on 39 shots faced Saturday.

At the other end of the rink, Chuli made her second start of the season. She made 19 saves on 22 shots, and her 2.00 GAA is tied for the best in the league with Minnesota’s Maddie Rooney. Chuli led the PWHL last season with a 1.61 GAA in eight games.

4.   There are bigger things than hockey.

That was the overall sentiment shared by both Cheverie and Stacey in parts of their post-game media availability, as the Sceptres and Victoire came together for a special cancer awareness game. Both teams came together after the final buzzer to honor Erica Howe, who joined them on the ice to express her gratitude for the support she’s received during her battle with breast cancer. It was a really touching moment, one of many on the afternoon.

Stacey, who is a long-time friend of Howe’s, was on the verge of tears in the post-game media availability, and it’s clear the impact this has had across the league, particularly on those who know Howe and have played with or against her. Both Stacey and Cheverie echoed similar sentiments: that there are bigger things than hockey, bigger fights out there, and this is one of them.

It’s a good reminder to all of us, really.

5.   This is what professional women’s hockey is supposed to be.

I’ll be the first to admit that Saturday’s game gave me chills. Having been around women’s hockey for nearly 10 years, it is truly incredible to see how far the game has come. This is how it’s supposed to be, I thought to myself several times.

It was a packed house, with 8,251 in attendance at Coca-Cola Coliseum. But it’s not just the number of people who were there, but how engaged and excited they were. These weren’t just people looking for something to do on a Saturday afternoon; these were people who are genuinely interested and invested.

Looking around the rink, it was easy to spot a number of fans rocking Sceptres jerseys & gear. And yes, there were a handful of Victoire fans, too! I also saw plenty of PWHL Toronto (inaugural season) gear, a few PHF Toronto Six jerseys, and even some ‘retro’ Toronto Furies gear.

The crowd was into it, too. Signs were posted all around the rink – from “Danger: High Wattage” and “Watts’ World,” a play off Wayne’s World – both for Daryl Watts; to “Mullet Village” in honor of Carly Jackson, “Fast Lane” and “Rankila Villa.” Other fans made their own signs at a sign-making table in the concourse.

And then, the other little details that matter: the branding around the rink; the dasherboard ads representing PWHL sponsors; the merchandise stand, which I never saw without a line. The raucous applause for a Sceptres goal, and then the quieter – but still evident – cheers for a Victoire celebration, as the healthy Montréal contingent made themselves known.

What struck me most about all of this was not just the size of the crowd or the excitement behind it, but the fact that this was just a normal Saturday regular-season game. It wasn’t an All-Star game or a playoff game, but it certainly had the energy of one. It’s great to see the commitment, the hype and the dedication. This is a big moment for professional women’s hockey, and I’m so glad to be here for it.