LOWELL, MA. — The Boston Fleet hosted the Minnesota Frost Wednesday night, Dec. 4, at Tsongas Center. This was the Fleet’s home opener and a rematch of the Walter Cup Finals.
1st Period
The first period had all Fleet and Frost fans on their feet. Boston is known to be a physical team. However, Minnesota seemed to top them in this category during the game. The first period was scoreless. Aerin Frankel was already doing Aerin Frankel things by saving all 9 shots she faced in the opening period. Boston went on the penalty kill 3 times throughout the game, all in the first period. Boston’s penalty kill unit showed promising results, allowing no goals during Minnesota’s powerplay. Boston had an 80% powerplay kill last season and are already at 85.7% in their first two games, third overall in the league.
2nd Period
Boston was quiet in the second period with only 4 shots on goal. In contrast, Minnesota put up 11 shots in the second period. It seems Aerin Frankel was the only person keeping Boston in this game. Minnesota turned the lights on with a goal from Michela Cava 7:25 minutes into the second period.
This goal will be followed by one of the most controversial calls in the league so far. With about 2 minutes left in the second Maggie Flaherty had an all head contact hit on Alina Muller. Muller had to be directed off the ice. She did not return for the third period. There is no update on her current status. Flaherty was originally issued a 5-minute game misconduct but after review, she was only given a two-minute penalty. Boos echoed the center, and multiple fans on social media were not happy with the call.
3rd Period
Boston entered the third period down by one and without one of their strongest skaters. At 4:05 minutes into the third period, Emily Brown took a shot from the blue line. The puck got tipped off Hilary Knight into the net. This was Knight’s second goal of the season. Boston was back in the game. This momentum did not last long, Boston was still struggling to keep the puck on their offensive side.
Dominique Petrie scored her second goal of the season. Sophie Jacques (former Fleet player) assisted her goal, which put this game away.
At about 1:36 left in the period, Boston attempted to pull Aerin Frankel to the bench for an empty skater. Frankel hesitated. She went back to the net and saved a shot that was almost an empty net goal. Then she went to the bench. The extra skater was not enough and Boston got shutdown on home ice against their rivals.
Final Notes
Many Boston fans are worried about the state of their team. With all of their weapons on offense and defense, some are concerned why we are not putting up shots. Some are convinced it is a staff issue. Boston hosts another game on home ice on Sunday, Dec. 8th. Will they go 0-3 or will they get their first win of the season?
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