Spooner Won't Play, Scamurra Getting Close As Sceptres Hit The Road
With the Toronto Scepters starting a stretch of three games in six days, head coach Troy Ryan took some time to talk about the team ahead of their busy stretch. He also chatted about his own special return to Halifax, Nova Scotia to coach Team Canada at the final stage of the Rivalry Series.
Spooner Not Returning
A TikTok that Emma Maltais posted on Sunday revealed that Natalie Spooner was joining the Sceptres on their road trip to Minnesota and Montreal, raising some speculation if the reigning MVP’s return was imminent.
Troy Ryan splashed cold water on that idea, as he stated there would be a zero percent chance that she would play on the trip.
“The league approved us bringing her down with 0% chance of her playing, for this game or the Montreal game,” said Ryan. “She started to practice with our group, and because of the way the schedule lays out, we were able to have a full team practice yesterday. Instead of Spooner just continuing to have one-on-one or one-on-two skill sessions while we're on the road, we just thought it was best for her return to play protocol to get those practice times with us and some time with her teammates.”
Another reason Ryan said Spooner joined the team was to have the presence she brings in the locker room.
“Adding Spooner to the mix for a longer road trip like this is very valuable. She brings a ton of energy, a ton of attitude and she just brings a different level of confidence," said Ryan. “I know today during the game day skate she was trying to help Julia Gosling with some net front play. Those things are so valuable, and especially when it comes from a personality like Spoons.”
There is still no clear timeline as to when we can expect her return, but with Spooner making the trip and continuing to practice with the team, it’s safe to say her return will be sooner than later.
Hayley Scamurra Out
One of Toronto's newest additions, Hayley Scamurra has sat out two straight games for the Sceptres, the first time that has happened in her PWHL career.
Ryan said that she is game-to-game and they are expecting her back soon.
“We expected her back in this game (Minnesota), or we wouldn't even have brought her on the trip,” said Troy Ryan. “She skated yesterday, and looked pretty good, but just had some discomfort. When you have three quick games here and also the Rivalry Series, it just doesn’t fit with the schedule right now and you don’t want to try and squeeze someone into a game."
Scamurra will have a lot of hockey ahead of her if she is to return soon, as the Sceptres are scheduled to play two games before she would have to fly to Halifax for the Rivalry Series’ final two games.
Halifax Stop Holds Extra Meaning For Troy Ryan
For the first time since 2004, Halifax will host a senior women's national team game and for Troy Ryan it will be a homecoming with a little extra emotion.
“Selfishly, for me, it's just nice. My mother has been sick for a number of years, so she's never been able to travel to watch any of the games that I've been behind the bench with the national team, so I don't think you could ever keep her from getting to this game," said Ryan. “That makes it extra special for her, that she gets to watch her little boy coach.”
Besides the personal angle Ryan was quick to point out how the community has embraced the women's game.
“I think Nova Scotia has been killing it in the growth and development of women's hockey," said Ryan. “There's a lot of champions in that area that have invested so much of their time and money to push women's hockey to the forefront, so I think that community just deserves something like this.”
The Canadian women’s national team will host the USA for the final two games of the Rivalry series in Halifax and Summerside, PEI on February 6th and 8th respectively. Canada currently hold a 2-1 lead in the Series.