Sirens F Taylor Girard gets record suspension for leaving bench

New York Sirens forward Taylor Girard received the longest suspension in PWHL history -- four games -- for leaving the bench to join a brawl against the Montreal Victoire on Sunday.

The three-year-old league's Player Safety Committee issued the automatic ban Monday night in accordance with Rule 72.10, which punishes the first player to leave the bench during an altercation.

The incident happened after time expired in New York's 2-1 win in Washington, D.C., the site of the latest PWHL Takeover Tour game. Girard barged into a scrum in the Sirens' defensive zone and shoved Montreal defender Maggie Flaherty from behind, sending her opponent to the ice.

Girard received a pair of misconducts for a total of 30 penalty minutes -- enough to lead the league this season. Three teammates and four Victoire players were given 10-minute misconducts.

Girard will miss matchups with the Ottawa Charge, Minnesota Frost, Boston Fleet and Victoire. Because the PWHL pauses for the Winter Olympics, Girard is not eligible to return until New York's March 5 home game against the Fleet.

The Sirens sit second in the league standings with 22 points in 13 games.

With a career-high five goals and six points, the 27-year-old Girard was in the midst of a modest breakout. Boston traded Girard to New York in exchange for forward Jill Saulnier in January 2025.

--Field Level Media