Lauren Messier netted her first goal in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), helping the Toronto Sceptres to a 2-1 win against the Vancouver Goldeneyes on Sunday. The match took place in Vancouver, where Toronto capitalized early to gain control of the game.
Sara Hjalmarsson opened the scoring for the Sceptres just 7:10 into the first period. Receiving a precise pass from Claire Dalton, she fired a swift shot from the low hash marks, marking her second goal of the season. Shortly after, Messier increased the lead less than a minute later, again assisted by Dalton, who earned her second helper of the afternoon.
Defensive Effort Holds Back Vancouver’s Comeback Attempts
After Toronto’s early offensive push, the team shifted focus to defense, successfully blocking 20 shots during the final two periods. Goaltender Raygan Kirk made 25 saves in total, preserving the lead and contributing to the Sceptres’ second straight victory following their 5-2 win over the Seattle Torrent on Friday.
The Goldeneyes managed to score late in the third period when Izzy Daniel beat Kirk with a one-timer 9:07 into the frame, earning her fifth goal of the season. Despite this, Vancouver’s goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer stopped 22 of 24 shots, keeping her team competitive throughout the match.
Returning from a break since January 28, Vancouver showed some early missteps, with turnovers that led directly to Toronto’s two goals. Though Vancouver pressed strongly in the last period, Kirk made several critical saves, including a notable glove stop at 7:48 when she denied Sarah Nurse, preventing a potential equalizer.
Upcoming Matches and Season Outlook for Both Teams
The Goldeneyes will continue their five-game homestand when they face the Boston Fleet on March 10. Meanwhile, the Sceptres will return home to Toronto to host the Montreal Victoire on Tuesday, looking to build on their recent wins.
This game highlighted Lauren Messier’s emergence as a valuable scorer for Toronto, with key contributions from teammates like Claire Dalton and Sara Hjalmarsson. Such performances are important as the PWHL continues to grow in prominence, bolstered by increased attention following the recent Winter Olympics and ongoing league development.
“Lauren Messier’s 1st PWHL goal lifts Sceptres over Goldeneyes” – [Unnamed source]
