UPDATE: The Boston Fleet triumphed over the Seattle Torrent with a nail-biting 2-1 victory on October 25, 2023, at Agganis Arena, maintaining their undefeated home record. Goaltender Aerin Frankel played a pivotal role, showcasing remarkable resilience during a tense final minute when Seattle pressured with a 6-on-5 advantage.
With just seconds remaining, Frankel secured the win as forward Jamie Lee Rattray cleared the puck from the defensive zone. Despite the Torrent’s relentless efforts, including three shots blocked by her teammates in the closing moments, Frankel faced only one shot from Seattle during the final push. “It’s a great team win; everyone contributed,” Frankel stated, emphasizing the collective effort in blocking six shots in the third period alone.
The Fleet’s coach, Kris Sparre, praised the team’s determination, remarking, “It was a gutsy effort.” This win snapped a two-game losing streak for Boston, crucially highlighting their ability to close out games after previously losing leads. The Fleet had taken the lead into the third period nine times out of ten this season, and Sparre noted the importance of maintaining focus until the final whistle.
Rattray opened the scoring late in the first period, exploiting a 2-on-0 opportunity after two Seattle players collided at Boston’s blue line. Rattray’s quick pass to linemate Laura Kluge and back secured the initial goal, putting Boston ahead 1-0. “Those 2-on-0 situations don’t happen very often,” Sparre added about the impressive play.
The Fleet extended their lead to 2-0 just 18 seconds into the third period during a power play, with captain Keller netting her third power-play goal of the season. The Fleet capitalized on their power play, converting at a 20% effectiveness rate against Seattle. Sparre highlighted their aggressive attack mentality, stating, “We want to establish the shot early and create chaos for the penalty kill.”
However, Seattle fought back, with Hannah Bilka and Hilary Knight connecting for a goal midway through the third period, narrowing the Fleet’s lead to just one. As the tension mounted, Boston found themselves on a penalty kill late in the game, facing a determined Torrent offense.
Reflecting on the game, Frankel noted the importance of their recent experiences, stating, “It’s a really difficult league, and you’re always going to get a strong third-period push from every team.” Her confidence in her teammates shone through as they successfully managed to hold off Seattle’s final advances.
As the Fleet celebrate this critical victory, they look to build on their momentum when they travel to Halifax for a matchup against the Ottawa Charge on Sunday. Fans eagerly anticipate whether Boston can continue their winning streak and further solidify their standing in the league.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Boston Fleet aim to keep their winning ways alive!