Fleet Earn One-Goal Win In Brief Restart Before The Holiday Break

All eyes were on the goalies as the Boston Fleet faced the Ottawa Charge at Tsongas Center on Tuesday night. The goaltending matchup of Emerance Maschmeyer versus Aerin Frankel, two of the best goaltenders in the league, was one to watch. After a close game, the Fleet ultimately came out on top with a 3-2 win.

This was the PWHL’s first game back since the break in play for the Women’s Euro Hockey Tour. The break gave Boston’s Alina Muller time to recover after being placed in concussion protocol. Muller made her return to the lineup Tuesday night.

The first period further validated many fans and teams thoughts on the week long break: it wasn’t productive this early on in the season.

After twenty minutes of fast paced, sloppy, end-to-end breakaways from both teams, the Boston Fleet and the Ottawa Charge both left the period goalless.

Both teams had chances, however Maschmeyer and Frankel shut the door. Aerin Frankel faced nine shots in the first period, each save more impressive than the last.

The two goalies went into the game tied for first place in the PWHL for saves this season with 89 each. Maschmeyer led the league last regular season with saves and Frankel led the league last post season in saves.

Frankel was the star of the first period with her ability to control shots and quickly deflect the puck. She kept the Fleet in the game and once again showed the fans that she truly is the “Green Monster."

The Boston Fleet offense came out hungry for goals in the second period putting up three shots in the first five minutes of the period.

The intensity on the offense further increased when Jamie Lee Rattray scored her first goal of the season two minutes and eighteen seconds into the period. The Tsongas Center erupted as fans cheered on the team.

Something connected in the locker room between periods because the Fleet found a way to beat Maschmeyer.

Their lead was short lived however, as the Charge’s Shiann Darkangelo snuck a flukey goal past Frankel in an odd sequence where it appeared the puck was deflected off legs. The crowd was confused, as were the referees, who delayed puck drop for a minute.

It was Darkangelo’s first PWHL goal, and as she said, it doesn't matter how it goes in, “a goal is a goal, even if it goes off your shin pad.”

The goal counted but the tied game once didn’t last long. The Fleet quickly responded when Shay Maloney scored her first goal of the season. Another odd goal that seemed to be stopped before it slipped through Maschmeyer’s legs putting the Fleet back on top.

This was Maloney’s first PWHL goal after joining the league this season. She credited the goal to the her teammate, Sophie Shirley, who set her up.

“She got the puck through, got it to the net, and I just kind of gave a few whacks until it went in," said Maloney. "It was great on Shirley to get that puck on net and create that opportunity for me."

With the score now 2-1 in favor of the Fleet, Jaime Lee Rattray went to the box for two minutes following a roughing call. The Fleet were able to kill Ottawa’s power play, and get back to even strength.

The scoring wasn’t over yet though. Ottawa's Aneta Tejralova put the puck through Frankel to tie the game with four minutes left in the period.

The second period ended tied up at 2-2, and proved what fans had expected from this game: Both teams are evenly matched, from the goaltending down to the scoring.

Frankel ended the period having saved 15 of 17 shots faced. Similarly Maschmeyer left with 16 saves on 18 shots.

The third period began with a tied score and it was anyone’s game; both teams eager to leave Tsongas Center with the three points.

8:26 into the third period Hannah Brandt scored her first goal of the season off a perfectly placed pass from Hilary Knight giving the Fleet a 3-2 lead.

A penalty from Sydney Bard for boarding gave the Charge an opportunity to get on the board, but with a strong performance from Frankel, the score remained 3-2 Fleet.

The Fleet have outnumbered their opponents in penalties this season. Tonight they had three penalties called against, compared to none from Ottawa.

Fleet Head Coach Courtney Kessel isn’t worried about the penalties.

“I don't think they've been egregious penalties," Keseel said. "I think the refs are trying to figure it out. There's a few new ones in the league, and hopefully it gets figured out. I'm not mad at anyone that took penalties tonight. It's just kind of unlucky in our favor every single game, but we're dealing with it.”

Ottawa pulled their goalie and tried to send the game to overtime, but Frankel shut the door once again.

The buzzer went off and the Fleet officially evened their record to two wins and two losses with their 3-2 win over Ottawa.

The Boston Fleet will not be back in Tsongas Center until January 22. It will be interesting to see how the team does on the road, having managed to create a winning culture at home this season.

Hannah Brandt emphasized the benefits of playing at home.

“I feel like our fans are awesome," Brandt said. "It's fun to play here and we're enjoying our time in Lowell and at the Tsongas Center.”

The win bumps the Fleet up to second in the league standings, trailing the Minnesota Frost by one point. The team now goes on a break for the holidays. They will resume play on December 27th and begin a three game road trip.