The Toronto Sceptres have begun their season with a promising start, a deviation from their performances in the previous seasons. The team is hoping that this positive beginning carries over to their neutral site game against the Montreal Victoire, as they continue to establish their presence in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL).

Toronto Sceptres’ forward Natalie Spooner (24) celebrates with her team after scoring against the Ottawa Charge during their game in Toronto earlier this month. Photo Credit: Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press

A Promising Start for the Sceptres

Unlike the previous two seasons where Toronto lost four of its first five games, the Sceptres have started the current season with two regulation wins and two losses. This shift in the team’s performance has been noted by star forward Natalie Spooner, who stated in a recent Zoom call with reporters, that the team’s hope was to “come up with a strong start.”

Improving Performance in Every Game

According to Spooner, the Sceptres are getting better in every game, with several great moments to take from their games. Despite the 3-1 loss against Boston on Nov. 29, Spooner believes that the team outplayed their opponents. The Sceptres’ focus now is to learn from their mistakes and find ways to win their games.

The Takeover Tour

The Sceptres are currently preparing for their upcoming match against the Montreal Victoire, which will take place in Halifax. This game is one of the 16 Takeover Tour games this season in the PWHL. Spooner expressed her and the team’s excitement to compete in front of a new set of fans, with great anticipation for the support they will receive.

Toronto Sceptre Daryl Watts (9) moves in on Montreal Victoire goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens (35) as Victoire’s Abby Roque (11) attempts to block the shot during a game in Laval, Que. earlier this month. Photo Credit: Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press

The Future of the Rivalry Series

As the PWHL continues to grow and with the upcoming Olympic year, discussions have emerged on whether the Rivalry Series should continue. The PWHL has traditionally incorporated international play with multiple breaks in its schedule for the Rivalry Series and the world championships. However, Spooner suggests that a balance may need to be struck in the future to accommodate the growing league and international games.

Ethan Radcliffe

Ethan Radcliffe is a senior reporter and digital editor at The Toronto Insider, specializing in Canadian federal policy, GTA urban development, and national economic trends. With over a decade of experience in North American journalism, Ethan focuses on translating complex legislative and economic developments into clear, accessible reporting for Canadian readers. Ethan’s work emphasizes policy analysis, government accountability, and data-driven reporting, with a strong focus on how federal and provincial decisions impact communities across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. He has covered infrastructure planning, housing policy, fiscal strategy, and regulatory changes affecting Canadian households and businesses. A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Journalism, Ethan brings expertise in investigative reporting, long-form analysis, editorial standards, and digital publishing best practices. His reporting is guided by verifiable sources, public records, and transparent sourcing. In addition to reporting, Ethan has experience in newsroom editing, fact-checking workflows, SEO-informed journalism, and audience analytics, ensuring stories meet both editorial integrity standards and modern digital discoverability requirements. Ethan is committed to objective, fact-driven journalism and adheres to established ethical guidelines, prioritizing accuracy, clarity, and public trust in all reporting.

See Full Bio