The Toronto Sceptres, despite facing a swath of diversity via injuries to their core this season have once again found themselves in position to make another serious run at the Walter Cup. Posting a record of 12-2-5-8 with a points percentage of 0.556, barring an unprecedented collapse and some severely unlucky breaks involving Boston, Ottawa, and Minnesota, the Sceptres are going to make the playoffs.

               Toronto’s depth and offseason additions were a critical factor in positioning themselves to make another run for the Walter Cup. The Sceptres had 6 forwards who performed above the league average in scoring efficiency (PPG): Daryl Watts, Hannah Miller, Sarah Nurse, Jesse Compher, Natalie Spooner, and Blayre Turnbull, while Renata Fast also accomplished the feat from the blueline. More impressive in this group is that between Nurse and Spooner (The team’s best in 2023-2024) they had 25 WGL (Women Games Lost) due to injury this season but managed to maintain their position as one of the best teams in the league. Watts and Miller having career highs in PPG through 27 games (0.96 and 0.92) was crucial for the Sceptres, and these efficiencies are good enough for 3^rd and 4^th in the league respectively. Fast’s 0.78 PPG is also good enough for 2^nd in the league, only trailing Sophie Jacques’ 0.86. In goal, Kristen Campbell has not been as good as she was in 2023-2024 when she posted an 8.07 GSAA (Goals Saved Above Average), but this season’s 1.95 is still respectable, and based on Toronto’s win/loss column, clearly isn’t a red flag for this team’s ability to succeed late in spring. Raygan Kirk has also been a pleasant surprise posting a 1.93 GSAA as a rookie (the highest of any eligible rookie) in the games in which Campbell did not play, making her the best back-up goalie in the league (as it pertains to GSAA).

               Toronto’s path to the postseason will feature showdowns with Boston, New York, and Ottawa, which puts them in complete control of their ability to secure their playoff spot; however, the lack of a match with the Victoire prevents the Sceptres from controlling if they can finish at the top of the PWHL standings for the second straight season. Toronto’s biggest mission after the IIHF break should be to stay healthy because this team is formidable when their forward group is healthy. Fingers-crossed for their Walter Cup quest that they don’t see the Frost again because that helps keep your roster healthy.