Boston Fleet Enter the Holiday Break With an Even Record After a Nailbiting Win Against Ottawa • 12/17/2024

LOWELL, MA. — The Boston Fleet hosted the Ottawa Charge Tuesday night, Dec. 17, at Tsongas Center. This was the final game before Boston. They honored mental health awareness during the game. There were videos on the jumbotron and mental health trivia. Fans all throughout the stadium had mental health awareness signs. Boston forward Alina Muller returned to the first line last night. She had been out for one game due to concussion protocol.

1st Period

There were no goals or penalties through the first period. It was a back and forth battle between goalies Aerin Frankel and Emerance Maschmeyer.

2nd Period

It was another back and forth period between these two teams, this time with goals! Jamie Lee Rattray kicked things off with a slick escape to the net to get one by Maschmeyer.

Their lead did not last long. Shiann Darkangelo scored her first PWHL goal against her former team to tie the game up.

Ottawa forward Shiann Darkangelo on her first goal in the PWHL:

“It went off my shin pad there, but a goal is a goal! It was a nice shot by Jincy Roese and there was traffic in front of the net. Scoring the goal was nice, but we wanted to win. That’s what we are looking for.” 

Minutes later Shay Maloney got in on the action to score her first PWHL goal to give Boston the lead once again.

Boston Fleet head coach Courtney Kessel on the team win and Shay Maloney’s first goal:

“It’s great, I think we win when our best players score goals, and Shay has been a tremendous addition to our team. Offensively, obviously scoring goals, but also the mentality that she has brought here.”

Yes, you guessed it. Ottawa tied the game with a goal from Aneta Tejralova. There was a tie game going into the third period.

Ottawa defender Aneta Tejralová on her rocket to tie the game at 2-2:

“It was a nice break out by Ronja Savolainen. It made it easy for me to get a good shot.” 

3rd Period

Hannah Brandt did Hannah Brandt things last night and gave Boston the lead near halfway into the third period. This was the only goal of the final period. Boston secured the win before their holiday break. They managed to even their record this season.

Boston Fleet Final Notes

Hannah Bilka looked hungry on the ice for her first career goal. It is only a matter of time until she gets it. This was Boston’s final home game until next year. (Haha) They play their game against Montreal at Climate Pledge Arena on Jan. 5. They will not be back at Tsongas Center until Jan. 21. It will be a long road trip for the Fleet.

Boston’s Emma Greco recorded her first career PWHL point in her 26th career game, assisting on Rattray’s goal. Amanda Pelkey and Sophie Shirley recorded their first points of the season with assists on Maloney’s goal. Fleet captain Hilary Knight extended her season-opening point streak to four games (2G, 2A). 

Goaltenders Aerin Frankel (BOS) and Emerance Maschmeyer (OTT) are tied for the PWHL lead with 121 shots against. Frankel leads Maschmeyer in saves, 113 to 111. 

Boston Fleet forward Hannah Brandt on Shay Maloney’s impact:

“When Shay came here, I feel like she always had a physical style, you saw that right away as she created advantages. I knew right away that she would fit into this league, obviously because physicality is huge, and she has been great getting plays going and scoring a goal was huge. She’s been working really hard, and it has been fun to watch her, and she has a really bright future in this league.”