Toronto's playoff hopes falter after eighth home loss to Vancouver
The Sceptres' struggles at home continued Sunday, with a trio of their former teammates combining to lead Vancouver to a 3-2 win over Toronto. All three forwards the Sceptres lost to Vancouver in the off-season got on the scoresheet - Hannah Miller and Izzy Daniel each scored while Sarah Nurse had two assists. "I don't think it's just because we're playing them, we're having more success," Daniel said. "I think we try not to play a different way just because we're playing a different team. But I think it definitely helps, having played on their side we kind of know their tendencies a little more." "I thought we were just clicking today," Sceptres captain Blayre Turnbull had two goals to take over the team's goal-scoring lead with nine . "Their top players are all former Sceptres, and they're all very dangerous offensively," Turnbull said. "I think you see how much they can generate when you give them time and space and let them make skilled plays." "It's frustrating because, I mean Daniel worked so hard last year to understand the pro game and learn how to play the pro game. And I'm so happy that she's having the success that she is and I'm not surprised whatsoever. But yeah, it's like I wish she was still on the Sceptres, for sure." Toronto head coach Troy Ryan said "you always have a little side thought when those players do well." "But a little frustrating when you see them, you know, three of them coming over and having an impact in the game," Ryan said. Goldeneyes forward Mannon McMahon scored the winning goal on a power play in the second period to break a 2-2 tie. "I think we definitely had more chances tonight," Turnbull said. "I think we got to be a little hungrier in front to make sure that we're bearing down and finding rebounds and putting them in." Despite another sellout crowd of 8,631 fans, the Sceptres continued to struggle at Coca-Cola Coliseum, losing for the eighth time at the venue this season, equalling the number they lost at home the previous two seasons. "I don't think our team feels like we're struggling at home," Turnbull said. "I think we maybe have had some luck on the road where it makes it seem like we're better on the road than we are at home. But I don't think any of us feel that." They still hold onto the last playoff spot, one point more than the Ottawa Charge and four ahead of the New York Sirens - and the Sceptres will be facing them in five of the last six games this season. "I have no doubt this is going to come right down to the final day," Ryan said. "I think it's important for us not to get too frustrated with our last couple of games here because they've worked hard since that Olympic period to get themselves back in the race. So I think we got to have a sense of pride and let that carry us through these next games.
