WATCH LIVE: CBC TV, CBC Gem, cbcsports.ca, NESN, PWHL YouTube (U.S. / International)
Daniella Ponticelli (Play-by-Play), Becky Kellar (Analyst), Anastasia Bucsis (Reporter)
Andi Petrillo (Studio Host), Hailey Salvian (Studio Analyst), Saroya Tinker (Studio Analyst)
BOSTON
2024: 8-4-3-9 | 35 PTS | 3RD PLACE
Top Scorer: Alina Müller - 24 GP, 5-11-16 PTS
Mini Camp: 3-1 W vs MTL | 6-1 L vs OTT
TORONTO
13-4-0-7 | 47 PTS | 1ST PLACE
Top Scorer: Natalie Spooner - 24 GP, 20-7-27 PTS
Mini Camp: 3-1 L vs MIN | 5-2 L vs NY
2024 SEASON SERIES: TORONTO WON 9-6 IN POINTS
Jan. 17 at TOR: 3-2 BOS | Feb. 14 at BOS: 5-3 TOR | Mar. 6 at TOR: 3-1 TOR | Mar. 20 at TOR: 2-1 TOR | Apr. 18 at BOS: 2-1 BOS
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Boston looks to begin a journey back to the PWHL Finals after falling one win short of a Walter Cup title to Minnesota.
The Fleet opened the inaugural season with four straight road wins and finished tied for second overall in away-game points with 18 including five regulation wins.
Alina Müller recorded four assists in five games against Toronto including three primary helpers in the Jan. 17 win.
Captain Hilary Knight scored two goals during Mini Camp scrimmages in Montréal.
Boston’s active roster features 18 returnees and 5 rookies including the team’s first four 2024 draft picks in Hannah Bilka, Daniela Pejšová, Sydney Bard and Shay Maloney.
Free agent signee Emma Greco is expected to make her first start as a member of the Fleet after playing for Minnesota in the inaugural season. The Burlington native is one of five Ontario-born players on the Fleet’s active roster.
Boston had six players compete in November’s Rivalry Series including Hilary Knight (2G) and Megan Keller (2A) who chipped in offensively for Team USA. Toronto countered with eight Canadian members including Emma Maltais (1G 2A).
Toronto hosts the PWHL’s season opener a second straight year after the league’s historic debut on Jan. 1. The Sceptres are looking to reverse that 4-0 loss to New York.
The Sceptres won 11 straight at home – a streak snapped at Coca-Cola Coliseum in GM5 of PWHL Playoffs vs. Minnesota.
The Sceptres entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed – a position secured thanks to another 11-game win streak from Jan. 26 to Mar. 20 – including all three wins vs. Boston.
Forward Daryl Watts, who signed with Toronto via free agency, was key to ending the streak with a hat-trick performance for Ottawa. The Toronto native will make her team debut alongside fellow FA signee and Burford, ON native Emma Woods.
Toronto’s active roster features 14 returnees and 7 rookies including six 2024 draft picks in London, ON native Julia Gosling, Izzy Daniel, Lauren Bernard, Noemi Neubauerová, Anneke Rankila and Raygan Kirk.
The team welcomes two players marking historic firsts – camp invite Rylind MacKinnon (UBC) becomes the first Sceptre to turn pro directly from U SPORTS (Kaitlin Willoughby is another U SPORTS grad via the PWHPA), and Noemi Neubauerová (CZE) is the team’s first-ever international player.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“Training camp seemed to fly by, but the expectation is we’re going to play a fast, physical game. We’re all looking forward to getting to puck drop and to have the season underway. I’m sure we’ll be in front of a great crowd in Toronto.” - Fleet head coach Courtney Kessel.
“Myself and the team are very excited for Saturday. Training camp’s been really good so far, but I think the group is excited to get the season going. To be back at Coca-Cola Coliseum since last playoffs – that rink is honestly the best rink I’ve played in. So, to see the fans, how excited they are – we're just so excited for this season to get started.” – Sceptres alternate captain Jocelyne Larocque.
SATURDAY’S GAME: Celebrating their city and their fans, the Toronto Sceptres are forging their own legacy this season and are ready to hit the ice. With special additions to the game experience featuring PixMob bracelets and rally towels, the atmosphere is sure to be electric as the team returns to Coca-Cola Coliseum, its new primary venue after hosting three sold-out games in the 2024 PWHL Playoffs. After raising the Sceptres’ flag to celebrate the start of the 2024-25 season earlier this week at Toronto City Hall, Mayor Olivia Chow will be in attendance.
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