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Sirens leave West Coast empty-handed after 4-0 loss in Vancouver: Takeaways
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- Sirens leave West Coast empty-handed after 4-0 loss in Vancouver: Takeaways
Jordan Leigh
The New York Sirens' first-ever West Coast trip left something to be desired. After a gut-wrenching 2-1 loss to the Seattle Torrent on Wednesday, the Sirens (2-0-0-3) were shut out 4-0 by the Vancouver Goldeneyes on Saturday.
Goldeneyes goalie Emerance Maschmeyer stopped all 28 shots in a brilliant performance, recording her first shutout since April 2024 during the inaugural PWHL season.
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Vancouver (1-1-0-3) snapped a three-game losing skid, returning to the friendly confines of Pacific Coliseum for the first time since its season opener. The Goldeneyes promptly claimed their first regulation win in franchise history, ignited by a statement first period.
That's a big deal — Vancouver hadn't scored a first-period goal since the season opener, and was outshot 40-12 in the first period during their three-game road trip. Meanwhile, the Sirens didn't allow a first-period goal all season.
That all changed Saturday.
Moments after stripping the puck from Sirens rookie Casey O'Brien at the blue line, Abby Boreen got Vancouver on the board at 4:42 of the first period. The 25-year-old drove to the net and whacked her own rebound over the left shoulder of Sirens goalie Kayle Osborne.
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The Sirens nearly tied it at the eight-minute mark when the puck skirted across the crease to Sarah Fillier, who fired toward an open net for what looked to be a surefire goal. Instead, Maschmeyer lunged across and denied the reigning Rookie of the Year with an outstretched stick — her second paddle save of the week, and a strong early candidate for save of the year.
Goldeneyes captain Ashton Bell made it 2-0 at 16:36 of the first with a wrister through traffic that squeaked through Osborne's pads.
One minute and three seconds later, Vancouver added a third tally — this time a jailbreak goal off the stick of British Columbia native Jenn Gardiner. Breaking out on a short-handed rush, Gardiner fired a shot that ricocheted off the skate of Sirens defender Maja Nylen Persson and bounced into the net, ending the New York power play after just 17 seconds.
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"In both games, the home team came out with an edge," said Sirens coach Greg Fargo, reflecting on the two-game road trip. "I thought Vancouver played a good game in the first period, especially when they came out, setting the pace of the play with how hard they were playing."
Though New York responded with a promising second period, outshooting the Vancouver 11-4, Maschmeyer was not to be beaten on this afternoon.
Boreen delivered the finishing blow at 5:47 of the third period. With Vancouver on the power play, the 25-year-old forward scooped up the rebound from a Sophie Jaques shot and fired it home for her second score of the day, and third of the season.
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"They got a couple of really good plays that didn't go our way. That was the difference in the game," Fargo explained. "I thought the back 40 minutes had a lot of good things, but it was just too late."
New York triumphed in the first meeting between the two teams one weekend earlier, dismantling the Goldeneyes 5-1 at Prudential Center. But Vancouver was much sharper this time around, particularly on the defensive end, and it translated to a vastly improved effort.
"A little more structured for us, and that had a lot to do with it," noted Goldenyes coach Brian Idalski. "We've improved a lot as far as breakouts, our exits, playing with a little more pace coming up the ice, and with possession. When we do that, we're a pretty good team."
Gardiner, Boreen, and Jaques notched two points apiece in the win; Osborne finished with 16 saves in the loss.
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Though the Sirens didn't have much to show on the offensive end, rookie forward Maddi Wheeler was a standout, pacing the squad with five hits and five shots — both career highs.
Key takeaways after Sirens shut out in Vancouver
Sarah Fillier — courtesy of PWHL
1. Sirens offense falls silent on West Coast
After scoring nine goals in their first three games, the Sirens offense dried up during the two-game West Coast trip. They were held to just one goal across 120 minutes of play, despite placing 52 shots on goal across the two contests.
The lone goal came from Paetyn Levis at 3:15 of the first period Wednesday in Seattle . The Sirens were scoreless for the remaining five periods — a stretch of 116:45 without a goal.
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Fargo took issue with the offensive process on Wednesday, and though the Sirens looked more lively against Goldeneyes, it wasn't enough to get anything past Maschmeyer.
A scuffling power play certainly doesn't help matters. New York was a combined 0-for-9 against Seattle and Vancouver, whiffing on five opportunities Saturday and surrendering a jailbreak goal to Gardiner in the first period.
On the season, New York is 0-for-13 — the only team in the PWHL without a power-play goal. New York's success at even strength helped mask some of the power-play woes early on, but that will only take them so far.
The Sirens were shut out twice in their first five games this season. They scored nine goals in their two wins and 1 goal in three defeats. Those are some serious numbers to chew on until their next game, Dec. 17 at home against the Boston Fleet.
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In fairness, Maschmeyer, an Olympic gold medalist with Canada, is a tough a test as they come, posting a 2.28 goals-against-average and .925 save percentage through four games. Still, in a League where nearly every squad boasts an elite starting goaltender, the Sirens can't afford to lean on that excuse too often.
2. Micah Zandee-Hart homecoming
Micah Zandee-Hart — courtest of PWHL
For British Columbia native Micah Zandee-Hart, playing a pro hockey game in Vancouver was a significant benchmark.
"This is a game I've had circled on the calendar for sure," the Sirens captain acknowledged pregame. "A lot of people will be in attendance that helped me get to where I am today but haven't had the opportunity to watch me play at this level."
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Zandee-Hart was effective, dishing out three hits, and was not on ice for any goals against in 22:15 TOI. And though the final score didn't land in New York's favor, the 28-year-old defender gushed about the experience nonetheless.
"We've always known that women's hockey can grow in this province. They showed it last year with the Takeover Tour game and again this year with their own team," Zandee-Hart lauded postgame. "It's really cool to see [professional women's hockey] come to fruition after we've continued to grow together in this province putting [women's hockey] on the map. Seeing [the support] in the first game and again today, with fans showing up in [PWHL] jerseys, it's amazing."
The Sirens return to Vancouver on March 18, so Zandee-Hart will have another chance to win a PWHL game in her backyard.
3. Osborne dominating goalie rotation
Kayle Osborne — courtesy of PWHL
On paper, Osborne turned in the worst performance of her 2025-26 campaign, allowing four goals and stopping 16 of 20 shots for an .800 save percentage.
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The eye test was more encouraging.
Both of Boreen's goals came off of second-chance rebounds and Gardiner's score took an unfortunate bounce off Nylen Persson. Osborne likely wants Bell's goal back, unable to squeeze it with her pads, but she came up with a number of key saves throughout the day, particulary after the first-period onslaught.
The Sirens showed faith in Osborne this offseason, leaving Corinne Schroeder unprotected in the expansion process and entrusting the starting role to Osborne, despite having just 10 PWHL games under her belt. They also handed her a contract extension before the regular-season opener.
Nonetheless, there were questions surrounding the goalie room and how Fargo would utilize a rotation featuring two rookie backups (Callie Shanahan and Kaley Doyle). So far, it's been all Osborne.
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Now in her second PWHL season, the 23-year-old leads all goalies with five games started, and has a 2.03 GAA, .915 save percentage, and one shutout. The Sirens have 10 days off before their next game, so Osborne has an excellent chance to extend her games started streak.
Looking ahead at the schedule, New York only has one turnaround with less than two days off in between games. Osborne is in prime position to take the lion's share of starts this season — and it's more than deserved.
4. Injury updates: Jaime Bourbonnais returns to blue line
Jaime Bourbonnais — courtesy of PWHL
Alternate captain Jaime Bourbonnais drew back into the Sirens lineup after she missed two games with a lower-body injury. The 27-year-old recorded two shots and three hits in 20:26, and reclaimed her spot on the second power-play unit.
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Levis had an injury scare five minutes into the first period, taking a big hit from Bell and heading back to the New York locker room. Fortunately, the 25-year-old forward returned to the ice, finishing the day with one shot and one hit in 18:21.
The PWHL will take an international break from Dec. 8 to Dec. 15 , allowing its players to join their respective National Teams for training and competition, with the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics on the horizon in February.
New York's 10-day break is good news for fourth-round pick Dayle Ross, who's yet to make her PWHL debut.
New York placed Ross on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) to begin the 2025-26 season as she recovers from offseason knee surgery. The 22-year-old defender's been skating in a red no-contact jersey since training camp, and the Sirens anticipate she'll be ready for action in the coming weeks.
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