The New York Sirens are embarking on a fresh start in their third season in the PWHL, standing as the only team in the league that has yet to play a playoff game. Their season opener saw them triumph over the Ottawa Charge with a commanding 4-0 victory.
Despite facing the departure of four of their top five scorers from the previous season, and the exit of long-standing goaltender Corinne Schroder to the Seattle Torrent, the Sirens (1-0-0-0) are adapting well. Kayle Osborne has seamlessly assumed the No. 1 goaltender position and secured a shutout against the Ottawa Charge (0-0-0-1) for the second time in her PWHL career.
Reflecting on the victory, Osborne expressed, “We’re a super young group and proved we belong in this league tonight.”
The Sirens’ offense came alive in the final 12 minutes of the game, netting four goals. Forward Taylor Girard completed a hat trick, while Maja Nylen Persson sealed the win with an empty-net goal.
Kristýna Kaltounková, New York’s top pick in this year’s draft, made an impact early with a physical play that resulted in a penalty. Ottawa briefly capitalized on the advantage but was thwarted due to a penalty for too many players on the ice.
In a heated moment, New York’s captain Micah Zandee-Hart was ejected for a major penalty after a cross-check incident. Despite the intensity, Gabbie Hughes remained unfazed, emphasizing the physical nature of the game.
Gwyneth Philips, last season’s playoff MVP, put up a strong defense for Ottawa, keeping the Charge level with the Sirens until the third period. Sirens’ head coach Greg Fargo acknowledged Philips’ resilience and stressed the importance of generating more scoring opportunities.
The Sirens broke the deadlock in the third period, with Wheeler and Girard finding the back of the net. Girard completed her hat trick, and Osborne maintained her unbeaten record in Ottawa.
Looking ahead, the Charge aim to bounce back from their scoreless start as they face upcoming challenges against the Vancouver Goldeneyes and the Minnesota Frost. The Sirens will continue their road trip against the Montreal Victoire before returning home to host the Goldeneyes.