Sirens Gear Up for Historic Game at Madison Square Garden

The Sirens have had their sights set on Saturday’s matchup at Madison Square Garden for months. They’ve been discussing what this occasion means for the franchise, not to mention the thrill of performing in front of thousands in such a legendary venue. After wandering around this week as preparation, the reality of this chance is finally sinking in.

“It’s crazy,” said Sirens forward Sarah Filia. “There’s so much history here, and we’re all excited to take part in it.”

The Sirens are poised to be the highlight of what promises to be another landmark evening at the famed arena, with over 18,000 spectators expected—marking what is thought to be the first women’s professional hockey game in this iconic space.

They’ll be up against the Seattle Trent, which includes some familiar faces, like former Sirens Alex Carpenter and Corinne Schroder.

The event has been labeled as sold out and is anticipated to break the attendance record for U.S. women’s professional hockey, surpassing the 17,335 record previously set at Climate Pledge Arena in February.

This week, the Sirens had a taste of the MSG experience, practicing on the ice before a game between the Rangers and Devils. They even took the subway, riding alongside everyday commuters to Penn Station for practice.

Defenseman Jaime Bourbonnais shared that riding the subway reminded him of Maple Leafs forward William Nylander, who had famously opted for public transport to avoid traffic on game days.

Fillia described the whole scenario as feeling cinematic. “I honestly felt like I was living in a movie, playing hockey in the heart of New York City,” she said. “And seeing the bustling Penn Station was great, too.”

The surreal experience continued when the team drove through the MSG Zamboni tunnel and saw their logo displayed on the Jumbotron and around the arena.

It was quite the moment for the players to skate on the ice, taking in the iconic concave ceiling. One end of the arena is decorated with banners honoring Knicks legends and their championship victories, while the other pays tribute to the Rangers with four Stanley Cup banners and acknowledgments of prominent players like Henrik Lundqvist and Mark Messier.

“It’s really hard to put into words,” said Sirens coach Greg Fargo. “In the PWHL, we’ve been lucky to visit amazing venues with great crowds, but Madison Square Garden? It’s in a league of its own. Knowing the historical significance here is a major milestone for women’s hockey and our game.”

For Bourbonnais, who graduated from Cornell, playing at MSG holds special meaning since he always envied the men’s hockey team for getting to play there.

“It’s pretty cool to practice here and have packed games,” she mentioned. “I can’t wait; I know the crowd will be incredible. It’s definitely a dream come true.”

Perhaps the change of scenery and the excitement leading up to the weekend is just what the Sirens need to get back on track.

They’re determined to make the playoffs after missing out in their first two seasons. Having struggled recently, losing nine out of ten games before a thrilling overtime win on Wednesday, they seemed revitalized, thanks in part to a hat trick from Fillia.

Currently, they sit sixth in the standings, with six games in hand and five points ahead of the fourth and final playoff spot as they head into Friday night.

Fillia believes that the buzz surrounding Saturday’s game will help the Sirens keep their positive momentum. “We need those three points in every game,” she said. “As we approach the end of the season, it’s becoming critical. So, it’s nice to feel excited about playing in such a venue while also bearing in mind how much we need to win.”