Sirens Battle Back in Front of Record-Breaking Crowd

Rebecca Labaj

Last night, the PWHL headed to the ‘World’s Most Famous Arena,’ Madison Square Garden, for the first time as the New York Sirens took on the Seattle Torrent in front of a record-breaking crowd with 18,006 fans in attendance. The game broke the previous U.S. record of 17,335 that was set just a few weeks ago in Seattle, as they welcomed back their Olympians. 

The game got off to a hot and heavy start for both sides, leaning slightly on New York’s side. Midway through the first period Torrent Captain Hilary Knight found the first of the game … or so we thought, the goal was called off. From there the tension only grew resulting in penalties for both sides. Though New York would take the brunt of it with Emmy Fecteau being assessed a game misconduct for a hit to the head. 

With the 5-minute major carrying into the second period the Torrent got to work. And just as the penalty concluded Alex Carpenter opened the scoring off a pass from Danielle Serdachny below the goal line, making history with the first PWHL goal at Madison Square Garden against her former team. As the period continued the Sirens pushed to find the equalizer, the buzzer cut their opportunity short, as the Torrent took a 1-0 lead heading into the final frame.

But they carried that momentum into the third as they continued their offensive push before Seattle sent it down the other way. Well in the defensive zone Sarah Fillier took a penalty sending the Torrent on the power-play, but the Sirens were able to hold on, limiting Seattle to only two shots. Not long after the penalty came to a close Sarah Fillier found the game tying goal sending it to overtime for the second game in a row. 

In overtime neither team was able to find the finish, sending the game to a shootout. In the opening round Sarah Fillier found the back of the net to take the lead. But they wouldn’t have it for long as Alex Carpenter came out and … In the fourth round Maja Nylén Persson found another for New York, in response the Torrent sent out Alex Carpenter once again needing a goal to keep the game alive, but it was Kayle Osbourne who would get the final save, securing the Sirens 2-1 win, putting them on a two game win streak. 

Up next they head to Minnesota to take on the Frost once again. Their last game saw the debut of Denisa Křížová for the Sirens and Jincy Roese for the Frost following their trade at the deadline. In the game, the Frost held the lead before Sarah Fillier went on to complete a natural hat trick in overtime to secure the win. 

The Frost have now clinched a playoff position while the Sirens are still on the hunt for their first playoff berth. Will the Sirens find a regulation win to climb the standings? Or will the Frost freeze them out? Find out Saturday, April 11 at 1 PM EST.