On Thursday, March 5, the New York Sirens hosted the Boston Fleet for their third matchup of the 2025-26 Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) season. Late in the first period, the Fleet struck first to get on the board. Despite chances for both teams in the second and third periods, there was no change in the score, giving the Fleet the 1-0 shutout win.
Sirens’ Penalty Kill Held Strong
In the first period, Sarah Fillier had to take a seat for hooking. The Fleet didn’t score on the extra-player advantage, but they scored just a minute after the Sirens returned to full strength. The second period saw a real head scratcher, as it appeared as though the Sirens were receiving a delayed penalty. Kayle Osborne skated off the ice and to the bench, just as Laura Kluge sent the puck past the goal line for her first PWHL goal. The goal was waved off, but Maddi Wheeler took a seat for a high stick and Taylor Girard joined her for a too many players on the ice call. Despite being a 5-on-3 chance for Ottawa, the Sirens successfully killed both penalties.
The third period kicked off with another penalty for Girard a minute and a half in. Before this penalty ended, Kristin O’Neill took a seat for slashing. The Sirens were forced to play another 5-on-3 for 29 seconds, but they killed off both penalties for the second time.
Two minutes later, both Jill Saulnier and Kristyna Kaltounkova took a seat, forcing two minutes of 4-on-4. Neither team connected to score during the player disadvantage.
Although the Sirens allowed one goal, it was scored when both teams were at full strength. The Sirens were forced to play 5-on-3 twice in this game and kept their penalty kill strong, even in the full two minutes they were down two players. New York needed to keep their special teams strong to even the score. They followed through on the special teams; they just unfortunately couldn’t score.
Osborne Kept the Sirens Alive
The Sirens might have lost, but Osborne did all she could to try to keep her team in the game. She made 21 saves on 22 shots, earning her a save percentage (SV%) of .955. The Fleet had several chances to get more goals, but Osborne said no.
In her last start, Osborne was pulled from the net 23 minutes into the game, after she allowed three goals on six shots from the Montreal Victoire on Feb. 26. Callie Shanahan came into the crease to finish out the game, playing in only her second PWHL game. Getting pulled from the crease is never a good feeling, and Osborne put in the work to make sure that didn’t happen to her again.
Sirens Remain Out of a Playoff Spot
With the Ottawa Charge’s win over the Seattle Torrent the day prior, they catapulted themselves into the fourth playoff spot, knocking the Sirens out. The Sirens currently sit in fifth place with 24 points, while the Charge have 26.
Related: 3 Takeaways From the Torrent’s 4-3 Loss to the Charge
With an overtime win, the Sirens would have tied the Charge in points, potentially putting them back into a playoff spot. With a regulation win, this would have brought New York’s point total to 27, definitely giving them their spot back. Unfortunately, that’s not how this game went.
The playoff race is growing tighter. Sunday’s game will be even more important for the Sirens to win, as they are playing against the Charge. The margin for error is slim; New York will need to dig deep to try and secure the win, especially after dropping their last five games.
Sirens Back on Sunday
The Sirens will stay home and host the Charge on Sunday, March 8.
The season series between the Sirens and the Fleet will conclude in Boston on April 25.
