Sirens draw even with Sceptres after ‘gutsy’ third-period comeback: Takeaways

PWHL NEWARK — The New York Sirens have made a habit of third-period comebacks . Their latest came Wednesday night at Prudential Center, rallying from a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Toronto Sceptres 3-2 in regulation. New York scored three times in the final 10:30 — including twice in a 1:10 span — buoyed by a power-play equalizer from defender Maja Nylen Persson and the game-winner from rookie Casey O’Brien at 16:03 of the third.

Already without Kristyna Kaltounkova, Taylor Girard, and Savannah Norcross, all on long-term injured reserve (LTIR), the shorthanded Sirens faced another hurdle Wednesday. Captain Micah Zandee-Hart watched New York’s home finale from the sidelines, serving a one-game suspension for an illegal check to the head Sunday against the Minnesota Frost . Still, the Sirens pulled out a hard-fought win, moving level with Toronto amid a tight race for the PWHL’s final playoff spot.

“That was a gutsy win from our group,” Sirens coach Greg Fargo stated postgame . “It wasn’t a perfect game, but they found a way. They deserve those three points as far as I’m concerned.

” The Sceptres could have jumped into fourth place with a regulation win, and appeared poised to do so midway through the third. Instead, they fell to sixth in the standings with three games remaining. New York and Toronto are deadlocked at 34 points, though the Sirens own the tiebreaker with more total wins (9-2-3-13).