Published May 01, 2024 • Last updated 5 hours ago • 2 minute read
You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.
Article content
The rest of the PWHL might want to brush up on their special teams if they hope to knock Toronto off its pedestal come playoff time.
Advertisement 2
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
- Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
- Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
- Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
- Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
- Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
- Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
- Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
- Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favorite authors.
Don’t have an account? Create Account
or
Sign in without password New a new way to login
Article content
The No. 1 penalty-killing team in the league suddenly has a pretty impressive power play to go with it.
Article content
A pair of power-play goals and a perfect 3-for-3 night on the power kill as it’s referred to around here, was just the recipe for win No. 16 on the year as Toronto secured first place overall with a 4-1 win over visiting Minnesota.
Minnesota, for the fourth consecutive game, failed to secure its spot in the playoffs and will now take that into its final game against New York on Saturday.
Minny only needed a point to lock in their spot in the playoffs but Toronto, despite allowing the first goal of the game, wasn’t going to be the team to give it to them.
Offensively, it was another Natalie Spooner night as the league’s leading goal scorer and point-getter added two more goals to her total, giving her 18 on the season.
Article content
Advertisement 3
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
The first came on the Toronto power play, which has been getting plenty of attention in practice the past couple of weeks.
It gave Toronto its first lead of the game with Spooner in her office in front of the net and tipping home a Renata Fast drive from the point past Maddie Rooney.
Spooner’s second of the night came on a breakaway.
She picked off a pass between two Minnesota defenders and was on a break from basically her own blue line.
With that much time to set up the goaltender, Spooner made no mistake going to his patented deke with Rooney biting on the first move hard as Spooner brought it back to his forehand for the easy tap into the empty side of the net.
Easily the prettiest goal of the night and maybe the entire Toronto season was Toronto’s first goal on the power play.
Advertisement 4
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
On a set play, Toronto worked the puck back to the blue line to Fast, who gave it right back to Emma Maltais down low. She fed it below the goal line to Sarah Nurse, who was parked just off the edge of the net.
Recommended from Editorial
-
PWHL Toronto coach Ryan defends Lightning’s Cooper over skirt comment
-
PWHL Toronto heading to much bigger venue for playoffs
Nurse’s pass to Hannah Miller coming off the opposite point towards the net was so quick and so on target and Miller’s shot so perfect it was in the back of the net before anyone on the ice could react.
Maltais, who assisted on two of the first three goals, added an empty net to cap off the victory.
With the win and first place overall sewed up, Toronto can now choose their first-round opponent from between the third- and fourth-place finishers. The identity of those two teams remains to be determined.
Home ice throughout the playoffs is now also guaranteed.
RECOMMENDED VIDEO
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Play Video
Article content