The Boston Fleet Fall Short after Holiday Break

TORONTO, ON. — Boston kicked off their road trip in Toronto at Coca-Cola Coliseum. They were on a 2-game winning streak, and Toronto was on a four-game losing streak.

1st Period

The first period was intense and physical. There were 18 hits between both teams. Boston had 10 hits and Toronto had 8. About halfway through the first period, Hannah Bilka landed an awkward hit on Sarah Nurse. Nurse went to the bench. Then, she headed down the tunnel. She was back on the ice before time expired in the first. Toronto’s captain Blayre Turnbull scored on the powerplay to take the lead in the first.

Boston ended the first period with three penalties.

2nd Period

At 2:06 into the second period, Jessica Kondas extended Toronto’s lead to two goals. This was Kondas’ first PWHL goal and her PWHL debut.

Loren Gabel scored her first goal of the season at 16:36 in the second period on the powerplay to cut Toronto’s lead to one goal.

Boston Fleet Head Coach Courtney Kessel on the team’s power play:

“I think early on in the game we needed to capitalize. Heading into the third period it was nice that we put one in the back of the net, but it’s something you have to maintain. It worked for the first four games a little bit, but we have to keep maintaining that.”  

3rd Period

Emma Woods scored with a little over 5 minutes left in regulation to give Toronto the 2-goal lead, yet again. This was her second goal of the season.

Boston pulled Aerin Frankel for the extra skater around the 4-minute mark and Kali Flanagan collected the empty net goal.

Megan Keller took a snipe from the blue line and the puck went by Raygan Kirk. It was originally called off due to goalie interference. However, after a review, it was a good goal. The goal was originally credited to Megan Keller. During the review, it was credited to Boston Fleet first round pick, Hannah Bilka. This was Bilka’s first PWHL goal. It was not enough and Boston fell short in Toronto with a final score of 4-2.

Boston Fleet forward Loren Gabel on scoring her third PWHL goal against Toronto:

“I mean I like scoring against any team, but you have to put the team first and play for each other out there. I’m not really focusing on myself tonight.”  

Boston Fleet Final Notes

This was the second matchup between Boston and Toronto, Toronto is 2-0 against Boston this season. The Fleet play their next game on Monday, Dec. 30th against Montreal.

Raygan Kirk became the first goaltender from the 2024 PWHL Draft class to earn their first career win. 

Fleet forward Loren Gabel scored her first goal of the season and her first PWHL power play goal during the second period. Lexie Adzija assisted on the goal, her first point of the season. 

With an assist in the game, Fleet captain Hilary Knight extended her season-opening point streak to five games (2G, 3A).  

Boston Goal Scorers:

Loren Gabel (1)

• Assisted by Lexie Adzija

Hannah Bilka (1)

• Assisted by Hilary Knight and Megan Keller

Toronto Goal Scorers:

Blayre Turnbull (1)

• Assisted by Julia Gosling and Renata Fast

Jessica Kondas (1)

• Assisted by Daryl Watts and Sarah Nurse

Emma Woods (2)

• Assisted by Jesse Compher and Julia Gosling (second point of the game)

Kali Flanagan (1)

• Empty net goal