A deadlock, a surge of momentum, and an overtime finish defined the Toronto Sceptres’ battle against the Vancouver Goldeneyes at Scotiabank Arena on Jan. 17.
Maggie Connors (22) of the Toronto Sceptres pushes toward the net against Vancouver Goldeneyes goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer (38) during a first-period scoring chance. The sequence reflected Toronto’s early dominance, as the Sceptres heavily outshot Vancouver in the opening period.HumberETC/Luis Miguel S. De Castro
The Battle on Bay Street returned to Scotiabank Arena on Jan. 17, as the Toronto Sceptres faced the Vancouver Goldeneyes in their final home game before the Olympic break. With the crowd buzzing and the stakes clear, Toronto played with urgency from the opening faceoff.
The Sceptres controlled much of the early action, generating sustained pressure and forcing Goldeneyes goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer into repeated saves. The breakthrough came in the second period when Savannah Harmon converted on the power play, giving Toronto the lead and igniting the home crowd.
Vancouver responded quickly with Sarah Nurse scoring in her return to Toronto to tie the game and shift the momentum. What followed was a tight, physical battle, defined by blocked shots, crease traffic, and timely saves as both teams fought to gain an edge.
Overtime delivered the moment the crowd had been waiting for. Daryl Watts stayed with the play and snapped the game-winner past Maschmeyer, sealing a 2–1 victory and sending 17,856 fans to their feet. The win snapped Toronto’s four-game losing streak and kept the Sceptres unbeaten in three games at Scotiabank Arena since the league launched.
As the team heads into the Olympic break, the Battle on Bay Street closed Toronto’s home slate on a high note, collecting their fourth win of the season and a statement performance built on resilience, patience, and belief under the bright lights.
Toronto Sceptres players gather in a tight pregame huddle beside the net moments before puck drop during a PWHL matchup at Scotiabank Arena. The game marked the team’s final contest before heading into the Olympic break, a pause that will see several players shift their focus to international duty. HumberETC/Luis Miguel S. De CastroPlayers of the Toronto Sceptres stand shoulder to shoulder during pregame introductions at Scotiabank Arena. The moment captures the shift from pregame focus to the public stage, as anticipation builds inside the arena. HumberETC/Luis Miguel S. De CastroToronto goaltender Raygan Kirk (1) drops into a split save to deny Vancouver Goldeneyes forward Hannah Miller (34) during a scoring chance at Scotiabank Arena. Kirk turned aside the chance from point-blank range as pressure mounted in front of the net. HumberETC/Luis Miguel S. De CastroMaggie Connors (22) of the Toronto Sceptres pushes toward the net against Vancouver Goldeneyes goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer (38) during a first-period scoring chance. The sequence reflected Toronto’s early dominance, as the Sceptres heavily outshot Vancouver in the opening period. HumberETC/Luis Miguel S. De CastroFans erupt across the lower bowl at Scotiabank Arena, waving rally towels after the Sceptres scored the game’s first goal against the Goldeneyes. The moment was shared by the 17,856 fans in attendance as the arena came alive. HumberETC/Luis Miguel S. De CastroToronto Sceptres players gather in celebration after scoring the game’s first goal against the Vancouver Goldeneyes at Scotiabank Arena. The opening marker was scored by Savannah Harmon, igniting both the bench and the crowd. HumberETC/Luis Miguel S. De CastroYoung Sceptres fans cheer from the stands while holding a handmade sign during the game against the Vancouver Goldeneyes at Scotiabank Arena. The crowd’s energy reflected the growing connection between the team and its next generation of supporters. HumberETC/Luis Miguel S. De CastroVancouver Goldeneyes center Sarah Nurse raises her arms after tying the game at 1–1 against the Toronto Sceptres at Scotiabank Arena. Nurse scored just 29 seconds after Savannah Harmon opened the scoring for Toronto in the second period. HumberETC/Luis Miguel S. De CastroPlayers streak through the neutral zone in transition at Scotiabank Arena, captured in motion blur as play moves end to end. With the game locked at one goal apiece, momentum swung rapidly up the ice as both teams pushed to break the deadlock. Faces and numbers fade as speed, urgency, and back-and-forth action take over. HumberETC/Luis Miguel S. De CastroToronto Sceptres centre Jesse Compher (18) battles for control of the puck as Vancouver Goldeneyes wingers Michelle Karvinen (33) and Tereza Vanišová (13) converge during live play at Scotiabank Arena. The moment reflected the physical, contested action as both teams pushed to break the deadlock. HumberETC/Luis Miguel S. De CastroBlayre Turnbull (40) of the Toronto Sceptres leans in for a faceoff against Vancouver Goldeneyes centre Gabby Rosenthal (15) at Scotiabank Arena. The moment marked a brief reset as both teams searched for an edge in a tightly contested game. HumberETC/Luis Miguel S. De CastroToronto Sceptres winger Daryl Watts (9) is mobbed by teammates after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime against the Vancouver Goldeneyes at Scotiabank Arena. The goal sealed the victory and snapped Toronto’s four-game losing streak. HumberETC/Luis Miguel S. De Castro
