Kirk stops 33 shots to lead Toronto Sceptres to 2-0 win over Seattle Torrent

Toronto Sceptres goaltender Raygan Kirk (1) makes a save in front of Seattle Torrent's Jessie Eldridge (9) during third period PWHL hockey action in Toronto on Sunday March 15, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

TORONTO — Raygan Kirk earned her first career Professional Women’s Hockey League shutout while captain Blayre Turnbull scored early in the Toronto Sceptres 2-0 win against the Seattle Torrent on Sunday.

Kirk made 33 saves and kept the Torrent off the scoreboard after Turnbull kept the puck on a 2-on-1 rush to put the homeside ahead four minutes after the opening faceoff. Sara Hjalmarsson scored an empty-net goal with 7.8 seconds remaining before 8,270 spectators at Coca-Cola Coliseum.

Kirk, of Ste. Anne, Man., was at her best in the second half of the second period when Seattle (5-1-2-11) hemmed the Sceptres (7-1-5-8) in their own end. She made nine saves during this stretch. It was the seventh time this season Kirk made 30 or more stops.

The Sceptres (3-0-2-0) have earned points in each of their five outings since the Olympic break.

The Torrent outshot Toronto 33-25. Seattle’s Hannah Murphy made 24 saves, 11 in the final 20 minutes.

The capacity crowd gave three former Sceptres and current first-year Torrent players, Julia Gosling, Megan Carter and Carly Jackson, a rousing ovation during the first timeout.

Takeaways

Sceptres: Daryl Watts did not suit up. The Canadian Olympian has been unable to shake a lingering flu bug since returning from the Winter Games three weeks ago.

Torrent: United States captain Hilary Knight (knee) and Olympic teammate Hannah Bilka (upper-body) were big absences for the visitors. Bilka tied for the Olympic tournament lead with four goals in seven games.

Key moment

Seattle dominated the final nine minutes of the second period. But Toronto veteran Natalie Spooner snuck free for a breakaway, only to be stopped by Murphy with 3:05 remaining.

Key stat

The Sceptres increased their goal total to 41 in 21 outings. Only the expansion Torrent (40 in 19 games) and Vancouver Goldeneyes (35 in 19) have scored fewer times.

Up next

Sceptres: Visit the Boston Fleet on Tuesday.

Torrent: Visit the Montreal Victoire on Thursday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Mar. 15, 2026.

Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press