A sellout crowd, a Taylor Swift sing-a-long, three unanswered goals, and a double proposal! This past Saturday brought the biggest crowd in Tsongas Center and was the most energetic and greatest game for Boston all season. Boston had a huge chance to clinch a playoff spot after Minnesota fell short to New York with a final score of 5-2; a regulation win for Boston would secure them a playoff spot! It was the final regular season game for Boston and Montreal. Hilary Knight vs Marie-Philip Poulin, tensions were high.
The first period was a big one for Boston. Scoring two goals on 12 shots. Hilary Knight started off the scoring with a crazy goal after a close feed from Kelly Babstock to give Boston the late first-period lead.
Shortly after the captain’s goal, Alina Müller extends Boston’s lead to two with a one-timer through a feed from Theresa Schafzahl with less than two minutes to go in the first period.
At this point, Boston had a commanding lead over Montreal, not a safe lead but Boston had a great start. Almost halfway through the second period, star defender Megan Keller extends the lead to three with a one-timer tap in past Desbiens. Hilary Knight picked up another point during this play.
The final period was a big one. Boston had a 3-0 lead, but Grant-Mentis did not want to make it too easy for them. She gets one by Frankel to make it a 3-1 game just four minutes into the final frame.
Moments later, Grant-Mentis gets her second of the game (a goal credited to Mariah Keopple at the time) to cut Boston’s lead down to just one goal.
They do not call her Captain Clutch for nothing, Montreal captain Marie-Philip Poulin with just four minutes left to go in the game gets one by Frankel to tie this game up. A great 20-minute performance from Montreal.
Boston was minutes away from being eliminated from the playoffs, but Kaleigh Fratkin came to the rescue, and with a little help from a deflection off a Montreal skater, Boston took the lead for the second time with just under three minutes left in regulation.
As the game time ticked down to the final seconds, both teams desperate to get the puck in the back of the net, Boston came out on top and finally secured a playoff spot. From having one of the lowest odds to clinch a spot at the international break to winning four out of their final five games. Boston will play Montreal in the playoffs starting on May 9th.
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