Battle for final playoff spot heating up in final week of PWHL regular season

Nine minutes into the third period of Wednesday's game against the Toronto Sceptres, the New York Sirens were trailing by two goals in a must-win situation.

Yielding three points in regulation to Toronto would have dealt a massive blow to New York's playoff chances. The prospect was stark: three straight seasons out of the playoffs.

But the Sirens battled back, scoring three unanswered third-period goals to snatch three points from a standings rival.

"At this point of the year, our team knows who we are," Sirens head coach Greg Fargo told reporters after the game. "We know how to play. Ultimately it comes down to their belief in one another and how hard we want to fight together."

Heading into a slate of four PWHL games this weekend, the Ottawa Charge own the fourth and final playoff spot with 36 points. But the Sirens and the Sceptres are close behind, tied with 34 points. All three teams each have three games left.

One of the most important games in the battle for the final spot is set for Saturday at 2 p.m. ET, when the Charge host the Sirens. The Sirens will be looking to carry on the momentum from Wednesday's comeback win, while the Charge should be rested after a week-long break.

You can watch the game on CBC and CBC Gem.

New York rookie Casey O'Brien scored the game winner on Wednesday, her latest feat in a season where she's showed why many people considered her the top prospect in last year's draft.

O'Brien leads all rookies in points (21) and is tied with Sarah Fillier atop the Sirens' leaderboard.

Her seven goals trail only teammate Kristýna Kaltounková among rookies, but O'Brien has scored those goals while putting only 56 shots on net.

With Kaltounková on long-term injured reserve, the Sirens have leaned