Emma Maltais still processing Olympic defeat, but Sceptres playoff push is the goal now

Emma Maltais still hasn’t had time to process.

Less than three weeks after Canada dropped a heartbreaking 2-1 overtime decision to the U.S. in the Olympic women’s hockey gold-medal game, Maltais was back on the rink with a group of girls at Leaside Memorial Arena in Toronto on Monday.

In between, the 26-year-old spent time watching other Olympic events in Milan — short-track speed skating was a highlight – before hitting the west coast with the Toronto Sceptres, who have already played four games since the break as the PWHL playoff push heats up.

Asked to reflect on her second Olympics and first silver medal, Maltais said it all still needs time to breathe.

“It's crazy that it happened and then we just continued on,” Maltais said. “But yeah, I mean it was overall a positive experience. I think it sucks — the outcome — but we played so well in that game and we were so close. At the end of the day, I have memories that will last forever with those girls.”

Back at Leaside, Maltais had her Sceptres jersey signed by girls’ hockey players as part of a Royale initiative to pledge continued participation in sport. She also led an hour-long skills session.

The Burlington, Ont., native said she grew up playing some games in the arena and viewed it as a way to give back.

“Honestly, I feel like sometimes when you try and connect with the community, it can be hard. It can be hard to be organized, hard to send a message, right? Because you want to be a role model, but you also want to make it meaningful for them,” she said. “So I think this is a really good way to do that. So it was really cool today.”

Her message to the next generation?

“Not everyone's going to make the PWHL or fight for Team Canada. But sport is so much more than