LOWELL, Mass. – Game one of the Walter Cup Finals kicked off Sunday afternoon at the Tsongas Center. PWHL Minnesota came into Sunday’s game after eliminating PWHL Toronto on Friday Night. Minnesota had been down 2-0 in that series, but came back with three straight wins to advance to the finals. PWHL Boston swept PWHL Montréal to earn their spot in the finals and had been waiting since Tuesday to see who their opponent would be. This game had plenty of offense, ending in a 4-3 win for Boston, who take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Michela Cava opened the scoring for Minnesota, but Boston’s Susana Tapani would answer right back. The first period would end with the score tied 1-1. Minnesota and Boston’s offense was on display in the second period, combining for five goals. Taylor Heise would start the scoring, scoring her first of two goals in the second. Boston’s Taylor Wenczkowski would score with Hannah Brandt‘s stick after losing hers, tying the game back up. Hannah Brandt would give Boston their first lead of the night, scoring with a hot stick, the same one used on the Wenczkowski goal. Taylor Heise would score her second of the period, tying the game up once again. Jess Healey scored an unassisted goal late into the second that would stand as the game-winner.
Aerin Frankel backstopped Boston to the game-one win with 30 of 33 saves. Boston’s Megan Keller and Emily Brown would finish the game with two assists each. The three stars of the night were: 1. Jess Healey, 2. Taylor Heise 3. Megan Keller.
Game two of the Walter Cup Finals will be on Tuesday, with the puck drop at 7 pm.
