Boston is only one win away from the finals.
Just the facts
When: Today, 7:00 PM
Where: Tsongas Center, Lowell, Massachusetts
How to follow: NESN, NESN 360, PWHL YouTube (Out of Market)
Game notes
- Boston has been anemic on offense this series only scoring four goals, one each game in regulation and one in each overtime. The special teams has also been poor, scoring now power play goals all series while allowing both of the only goals allowed on the skater disadvantage, both by Kristen O’Neil.
- In two games Aerin Frankel has faced 111 shots, stopping 109 of them, setting the single game saves record on consecutive nights. Ann-Renee Desbiens has been equally impressive stopping 74 of the 78 shots she has seen.
- These teams set the PWHL record for longest game on Saturday, and the second longest game in North American history, behind a CWHL game in 2019. The day off between will be crucial for both squads.
- Hard to imagine a few weeks ago saying it but Boston’s Coach Courtney Kessel very much outcoached her Montreal counterpart in game 2. Kessel was able to mix her fourth line into play throughout the game especially in the overtimes. Both of Boston’s goals came from that trio, with Amanda Pelkey opening scoring and Taylor Wenczkowski closing the scoring, while getting some solid minutes out of Gigi Marvin. For Montreal their fourth line sat on the bench throughout the overtime not seeing the ice despite some awe inspiring minute totals for their stars who were very clearly running out of gas.
- Officiating is always a factor in sports but lately in Boston it seems to be playing more of a role in the decisions. Game 2 of this series was no exception. In the third Boston’s Lexie Adzija was given a five minute major and a game misconduct due to the play being deemed with ‘intent to injure,’ at first the announcers assumed it was a poorly called slashing call but when they deemed it a major upon review it changed the dynamic of the game even the Canadian announcers were not sure it was the right call. The play has been reviewed by the league and as of this time no supplemental punishment, either fine or suspension has been announced.
- Jamie-Lee Rattray has been confirmed to return in Game 3. She last saw the ice in Tsongas against this Montreal squad when a hit by Boston University’s Sarah Lefort knocked her out of the game, which was not called on the ice though did earn a suspension for the first game of this series.
- Megan Keller was in some obvious distress in Game 2 despite logging a huge amount of minutes, her status is unknown at this time. Any decline in minutes by the defensive leader will be a sore spot for Boston.