Another Missed Opportunity to Go Up in the Standings
Newark, N.J. — The New York Sirens hosted the Minnesota Frost at the Prudential Center for Hispanic Heritage Celebration Night, hoping to ignite both the scoreboard and the stands. The pregame festivities delivered: Puerto Rico’s IIHF 3v3 gold medalists were honored, with star goalie Estela Vasquez dropping the ceremonial puck alongside Sirens captain Micah Zandee-Hart and Frost captain Kendall Coyne Schofield. The fans who showed up responded with genuine warmth.
But as the puck dropped, the atmosphere faded. The “WEEE WOO” SpongeBob chant and the “Pizza Rats” rally were the only real bursts of noise in a mostly subdued arena. The crowd’s energy—like the franchise’s identity—felt scattered.
First Period: Early Mistakes, Fleeting Sparks
That quiet was broken just 8:55 into the first period, when Minnesota’s Britta Curl-Salemme (5) pounced on a loose puck and, with an assist from Taylor Heise (9), buried the opening goal—her hustle in the “garbage area” a reminder that the Frost didn’t need many chances to make noise. It was only their third shot of the game, enough to put the Sirens on their heels.
The Sirens’ story, though, is as much about their battle off the ice as on it. Since their first season bouncing between UBS Arena (NY), Total Mortgage Arena (CT), and now Prudential Center (NJ)—where marketing was non-existent and the schedule was dictated by the Islanders and their AHL affiliate in Connecticut—building a loyal following has been nearly impossible for the club. Stability has always been out of reach, even in New Jersey, where the team now faces an identity crisis with its new home and state.
Still, New York found a brief spark late in the period. After earning a power play, the Sirens nearly gave it away with a penalty of their own, but rookie Casey O’Brien (4) turned the tables with a shorthanded “jailbreaker” goal at 16:30, assisted by Sarah Fillier (4). Six shots were all it took for New York to draw even. The period ended 1-1, each team capitalizing on the other’s mistakes.
Second Period: Goals, But No Real Momentum
Minnesota wasted no time regaining the lead, as Kelly Pannek (5) scored just 35 seconds in, assisted by Grace Zumwinkle (1) and captain Kendall Coyne Schofield (5). Schofield (5) nearly doubled the lead minutes later, but Sirens goalie Kayle Osborne made a sharp near-post save.
The Sirens answered with a laser from Taylor Girard (5), snapping the puck far post past Nicole Hensley at 4:04 to tie it 2-2. Asked postgame about her scoring pace—after posting 11 and 10 goals in back-to-back PHF seasons with the Connecticut Whale, and now sitting at five for the Sirens—Girard kept her focus on the present:“This is a different league, different players, so I’m just focused on being a NY Siren.”
But for all the action, the arena remained sparse—entire sections empty, some with just a handful of diehards. The DJ tried in vain to wake the crowd, but the energy never caught fire.
Both teams pressed, both made mistakes, but neither could seize control. The period ended as it began: even on the scoreboard, lacking in atmosphere.
Third Period: Dull Play Mirrors Franchise Uncertainty
The third period did little to change the narrative. Early on, Jaime Bourbonnais took a hooking penalty, but the Sirens’ penalty kill held strong—no shorthanded magic this time. Taylor Girard tried to spark something with a snap shot, but Hensley was ready.
As play grew sloppy, both teams struggled to complete passes or generate chances. Sirens head coach Greg Fargo noted,“It [the third period] did open up. We noticed they were trying to stretch the zone and get behind our right defense to open up the ice. When teams do that, the game becomes more back and forth and turns into a bit of a track meet. That led to more rushes, especially in the third period, and more chances at both ends.”
With two minutes left, the period had devolved into a snooze fest—one last yawn before overtime.
Overtime: Frost Strike Fast, Sirens’ Streak Ends
It took Minnesota just 52 seconds to end it. On a 2-on-1 break, Taylor Heise (10) threaded a cross-ice pass to Kendall Coyne Schofield (9), who buried the game-winner past Kayle Osborne. The Sirens’ home crowd watched as the Frost celebrated, their team’s winning streak snapped in a flash.
Minnesota’s captain, Kendall Coyne Schofield, praised her teammate after the game:“Obviously a highly skilled, talented player that makes an impact night in and night out. You know that whether she’s scoring goals in overtime or making elite plays in overtime, or five on five. She had a great forecheck today, and that led to Britta (Curl-Salemme)’s goal, our first goal. She’s a dynamic player night in and night out. So, to hear [Heise now leads the league in assists] doesn’t surprise me.”
Sirens News:
- Unity on Ice: New York Sirens Celebrate Hispanic Heritage with Vibrant Community Night
- Osborne’s Shutout and Kaltounková’s Heroics Power New York to Franchise-Record Fourth Straight Win
- Sirens Open New Year with Third Straight Win
With the win, Minnesota jumps over Montreal in the standings—at least until Montreal faces the Sirens in DC. Frost alternate captain Kelly Pannek said,“I think for us it’s always just sticking to our good habits. These are big points going into the international break. Luckily, we’re going to be home for a little bit of a stretch, so to hopefully take advantage of a consistent schedule at home, getting a few practices in and having some off days mixed in as well and just being ready to play in front of our home crowd.”
For New York, it’s another missed chance to climb the table and another reminder that, on and off the ice, opportunity keeps slipping away.
Next Up: A Crucial Clash in the Capital
The Sirens now head to Washington, D.C. for a pivotal matchup against Montreal Victorie, who sit just above them in the standings—though both teams are tied on points. Montreal will be looking to reclaim second place after being leapfrogged by the Frost’s OT win in Newark. For the Sirens, it’s a chance to bounce back, prove they can rise in big moments, and finally seize the opportunity that keeps slipping away.
Editor’s Note: The Sirens’ ongoing arena identity crisis and what it means for the team, the league, and fans will be explored in a separate Bad Dawg Sports editorial.
Notables & Milestones
- Minnesota improved its overtime record to 2-2 this season but is still seeking its first regulation win against New York since March 16, 2024.
- The Frost won their first road game in three outings since Dec. 30.
- New York’s four-game win streak ends, but the Sirens have points in five straight games (4-0-1-0) for only the second time in team history.
- Tonight marked the Sirens’ first overtime or shootout decision this season.
- The Sirens lead the league with three shorthanded goals, matching their combined total from the previous two seasons.
- Four of the league’s top six scorers are Frost players, each with 12+ points in 12 games.
- Kendall Coyne Schofield (9G, 5A) moved into second all-time in PWHL scoring with 54 career points.
- Taylor Heise (10A) is the league’s all-time leader in assists (33) and the first player this season to reach double digits in assists.
- Britta Curl-Salemme (5G) is the first PWHL player this season with points in 10 different games.
- Kelly Pannek (5G) set a new career high for goals through 12 games.
- Casey O’Brien (4G) leads all PWHL rookies in points (8) and extended her point streak to three games.
- Nicole Hensley (MIN) recorded her fifth win in six starts and has a .949 save percentage.
- Kayle Osborne suffered her first OT loss in her 12th straight start for the Sirens.
- Sarah Fillier (NY) has an assist in four consecutive home games.
- Micah Zandee-Hart (NY) produced her second assist of the season and has five career points against Minnesota.
- Kristin O’Neill (NY) went 15-for-23 on faceoffs and is tied for the league lead in faceoff wins (135).
Three Stars:
- Kendall Coyne Schofield (MIN) 1G, 1A
- Casey O’Brien (NY) 1G
- Nicole Hensley (MIN) 24 SV
Bad Dawg Sports & The New York Sirens Team
Stay ahead of the game with exclusive insights and coverage. Subscribe to the Bad Dawg Sports Newsletter—now just $2/year for a limited time!
Discover more from Bad Dawg Media Group
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
