PWHL
Aerin Frankel stopped all 25 photographs that got here her manner within the win.
The Boston Fleet opened their third season in spectacular trend.
With over 5,000 supporters in attendance at Lowell’s Tsongas Middle, Fleet ahead Susanna Tapani had Boston’s followers standing as one simply 73 seconds into a brand new marketing campaign — lighting the lamp on her first shift of the yr and setting the tone in an eventual 2-0 win over the Montreal Victoire.
It marked the primary time in three seasons that the Fleet have opened a brand new season with a victory, and it stood as the primary win for brand spanking new Fleet bench boss, Kris Sparre.
“This might be an evening for me that I’ll always remember… I believed we have been aggressive, which is how we need to play,” Sparre stated postgame. “There are clearly nonetheless issues we have to clear up, however I’m so happy with the group. I advised them within the locker room after the sport that I’m having a whole lot of enjoyable teaching them. They’re fantastic athletes, attentive, and so they’re selecting up data shortly.”
Whereas Tapani gave Boston a lead it might not cough up on Sunday, the onus fell on Fleet franchise netminder Aerin Frankel to maintain her workforce afloat. The previous Northeastern standout didn’t budge — turning apart all 25 photographs that got here her manner as a part of a shutout exhibiting.
“Annually getting expertise is basically vital,” Frankel stated. Taking part in on this league, all of the video games are actually intense, and you must be able to go from puck drop. I’ve been persevering with to construct on the whole lot I’ve labored on up to now couple years and simply attempt to be a relaxed, regular presence for our workforce.
“I’m excited that we acquired our first win at dwelling in entrance of all these followers. I felt like I used to be seeing the puck effectively, however the gamers actually helped me out right now. They made my job fairly simple.”
Tapani scored the quickest objective of PWHL Opening Weekend after sending in a puck towards the web that was deflected off a Montreal stick and previous netminder Ann-Renée Desbiens — the reigning PWHL Goaltender of the 12 months.
Boston had a number of alternatives to double its lead within the opening interval, however Desbiens turned apart the ultimate 12 photographs that got here her manner over these preliminary 20 minutes to maintain it a 1-0 recreation.
The Fleet’s new captain, Megan Keller, gave her workforce some respiration room within the third interval.
After Montreal captain Marie-Philip Poulin was whistled after hitting Teresa Schafzahl into the boards simply 1:24 into the body, Boston capitalized on the facility play.
After a frantic sequence the place Desbiens was left sprawled out of place, Keller pounced — knocking a free puck previous the netminder to make it a 2-0 contest.
The Fleet’s high 2025 draft decide (No. 2 general) in Haley Winn additionally made her presence felt within the win — touchdown six photographs on objective from the blue line.
Boston will resume play subsequent Saturday once they tackle the Sceptres in Toronto. Puck drop is ready for two p.m.
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