Seattle Torrent Ride Offensive Surge to 6-4 Win Over Toronto in Final Home Game Before Olympic Break
It was a lively night at Climate Pledge Arena, and not just because of the CJ Jackson bobbleheads flying off the shelves. The Seattle Torrent, in their final home game before the Olympic break, gave their fans a show-and a high-scoring one at that-taking down the Toronto Sceptres 6-4 in a game that had a little bit of everything: early adversity, big-time comebacks, milestone moments, and a whole lot of offense.
The night didn’t start the way Seattle wanted. Just three minutes in, they found themselves in a two-goal hole.
Toronto came out flying, and for a brief moment, it looked like the Sceptres might run away with it. But the Torrent didn’t blink.
Instead, they dug in and responded with the kind of resilience that’s becoming a trademark of this group.
Veteran Hilary Knight got the comeback rolling with a goal that reminded everyone why she’s still one of the most dangerous players on the ice. Then Hannah Bilka followed up with a tally of her own, and suddenly, the game was tied 2-2 heading into the first intermission. The energy in the building flipped, and Seattle had momentum on their side.
Early in the second period, Julia Gosling gave the Torrent their first lead of the night with a goal just over four minutes in. Initially, it looked like Lyndie Lobdell might have notched her first career goal, but after a closer look, the credit was shifted to Gosling. Lobdell’s milestone will have to wait, but the Torrent weren’t done celebrating firsts.
Toronto answered midway through the second with a special moment of their own. Kali Flanagan buried her first career goal at 10:30, knotting the game up once again. It was a back-and-forth battle, with neither team giving an inch.
The third period belonged to Seattle. Just over two minutes in, Lexie Adzija broke free on a breakaway and made no mistake, putting the Torrent back in front.
Then came a moment Megan Carter won’t forget-her first PWHL goal, a big one that gave Seattle a two-goal cushion. It was a deserved reward for the rookie, who’s been steadily growing into her role on the blue line.
Toronto wasn’t done yet. Natalie Spooner, ever the competitor, cut the deficit to one with a goal at 8:10.
But Seattle wasn’t about to let this one slip away. Jessie Eldridge delivered the dagger with an insurance goal at 18:14, sealing the 6-4 win and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
The Torrent closed things out on the power play after Blayre Turnbull was called for slashing, and when the final buzzer sounded, Seattle had secured three more points in the standings.
It was the highest-scoring game of the season so far, with a combined 10 goals-each scored by a different player. In total, 20 players registered points, a testament to the depth and balance on both rosters.
After the game, Lexie Adzija spoke about the electric atmosphere in the building: “Even on weekdays, we have over 10,000 fans (here). As players, that really makes this experience so special. We really wanted to get that win for them and I’m happy that we did.”
Now sitting on a wave of momentum, the Torrent head into their final two games before the Olympic break. First, they’ll take part in the Takeover Tour with a neutral-site matchup against Vancouver in Denver on January 25.
Then it’s off to Ottawa to face the Charge on January 27. The team returns home on February 27 for a rematch with the Sceptres.
If Tuesday night was any indication, the Olympic break couldn’t come at a better time for a team that’s firing on all cylinders-but also one that’s earned a little rest.