Give Aerin Frankel a two-goal lead in any game, and chances are the script has already been written, and the Boston Fleet will skate away with the victory.
That’s exactly what happened Wednesday night when Boston defeated the New York Sirens 2-0 at the Prudential Center.
Frankel turned aside all 33 of New York’s shots to secure her third shutout of the season and the Fleet’s league-leading fifth win.
“There were a lot of good moments tonight where we had some quality looks throughout the game,” Sirens head coach Greg Fargo said after the game, as seen on the team’s YouTube channel. “I thought we had a good amount of offensive zone time where we had them on the ropes and tired.
“However, I think maybe we let them off the hook a little bit a few times where (our offense) was able to give her one that she can easily see and control the game while their shift was extended, and they were tired. In some other areas, we missed opportunities, but there were a lot of great things. We had some great chances, and I thought Aerin played a great game once again.”
Fleet head coach Kris Sparre told reporters after his team’s win that his team had a bit of rust on it after having extended time off for the PWHL’s first international break.
“It was a clunky game for us.” Sparre reflected. “I thought the distribution of the puck tonight was definitely chaotic for us. We looked like a team that just took 10 days off. But at the same time, the word resiliency comes to mind, and we find a way. And obviously Aerin Frankel gave us a chance to do that.”
Fleet rookie Ella Huber and two-time Walter Cup champion Liz Schepers notched their first goals of the season in the second period to give Boston the two-score cushion over the Sirens.
“It was fun. I’ve been waiting for this,” Huber said after the game. “We’ve been practicing a lot of two-on-ones recently, and I’ve been told to have a shooter’s mentality … so rip.”
Huber may have been the skater to rip the game-winning goal past Sirens’ netminder Kayle Osborne, but she gave plenty of credit to Boston’s blue line.
“Our (defenders) are incredible. They’re great at getting the puck up the ice,” Huber said. “Anytime (Haley) Winn, (Megan) Keller, or any of our D are on the ice, we know that the puck is moving up the ice. I like to gain some speed and get the puck where it needs to be.”
Here are more notes from Boston’s shutout win over New York:
— Frankel has more shutouts (3) this season than goals allowed (2). Last season, the Northeastern product had two regular-season shutouts. She boasts a .985 save percentage and a 0.40 goals-against average, turning aside 129 of 131 shots she’s faced through five games this season.
— The Fleet have won eight consecutive games against New York (six in regulation, two in shootouts). It is the longest win streak by one team against another in PWHL history.
— The defensive pair of Winn and Keller notched an assist each in Boston’s win. Keller is tied for first among league defenders with two goals and three assists for five points, while Winn has not yet lit the lamp; the second overall pick in the 2025 PWHL draft has three helpers in five games. The duo leads the league in time on ice, averaging over 50 minutes combined each game.
— Boston’s penalty kill was perfect in the win, killing off all three of New York’s power plays. The Fleet have not allowed a power-play goal on all 10 times Boston was shorthanded through five games. They remain the only PWHL team that is perfect on the penalty kill this season.
— The Fleet continue their road trip Friday night when they travel to Minnesota to take on the reigning Walter Cup champion Frost. Puck drop from Grand Casino Arena is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on NESN and the league’s YouTube channel.
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