Aerin Frankel Earns Shut Out in Boston Fleet Win over Montreal Victoire

On November 23, the Montreal Victoire shipped down to Boston to face the Fleet in their home opener and both teams’ first game of the season. 

The Fleet placed Liz Schepers, Theresa Schazahl, and Jill Saulnier on their first line, with Megan Keller and Haley Winn on defense. Backing the team was Aerin Frankel in net. The Victoire sent Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Stacye, and Abby Roque out to start the game, with Erin Ambrose and Nicole Gosling playing defense in front of Ann-Renee Desbiens. 

Montreal started aggressively, as is usual for the team. However, a defensive zone face-off for the Fleet gave them the opportunity to skate up ice and gain control. A pass from Jamie Lee Rattray to Susanna Tapani sent the puck directly to Desbiens. The rebound was uncontrolled and was sent into the net off Montreal forward Shiann Darkangelo’s skate. 

Boston kept the pressure on Montreal through much of the period, with the visiting team only able to gain momentum at the tail end of the frame.

The Victoire started the second off with a too many players penalty, served by Skylar Irving. Montreal was able to exert more offensive pressure than Boston in the second, despite Poulin’s penalties (hooking and tripping at 16:50). 

The third period started the same way the first did for the Fleet. This time though, an offensive zone draw on a power play (with Poulin and Stacey sitting in the box together) gave the team a strong set up. Each shot had Desbiens performing a gymnastics routine to keep the puck out of the net.

A shot from Keller sent Ambrose to the ice on the block, but she could not control the play from there. The puck was fished out from under her and buried into the then empty net by Keller. 

Amanda Boullier was sent to the box twice, first for a trip and then for interference. The Fleet were unable to convert on those power plays. 

Try as they might, the Victoire could not get the puck past Aerin Frankel, who made a total of 25 saves for her third career shutout.