Megan Keller led the Boston Fleet to their first win of the season, waking up Boston’s offense with two goals of her own.
The PWHL Boston Fleet beat the New York Sirens at Tsongas Center on Sunday afternoon, securing their first win of the season.
The highly critiqued Fleet offense came out ready to play. They were able to keep the puck in the offensive zone and capitalize on power plays to leave Tsongas Center with their first three points on the season.
The scoring started early, when Hannah Bilka thought she had scored her first PWHL goal at 6:24. The goal horn went off only for it to be quickly called back and play to resume with the score remaining 0-0.
Quickly after Bilka’s goal was called off, Susanna Tapani put the puck in the back of the net. Fleet took the lead 7:31 into the game. Tapani scored her first of the season, and the team’s first goal not scored by captain Hillary Knight.
As the period continued, Taylor Girard was called for a two minute hooking penalty, but the penalty was easily killed off by the Fleet.
Fourteen minutes into the period the Fleet were quickly met by the Sirens offense, who slipped one past Frankel 14:01 into the first. Paetyn Levis recorded the goal, her first of the season. Score was tied one-to-one.
Two Sirens penalties put the Fleet up two players and in a five-on-three power play, Sydney Bard scored her first PWHL goal with assists from Hillary Knight and Hannah Bilka.
“I just honestly was trying to get it on net with the man advantage. I missed the first one and then the second times the charm. I just got lucky on that.” said Bard.
Megan Keller described Bard’s performance.
“She shuts down battles quickly, and she plays physical. She deserved that goal today. I’m happy that she got that one, and she’s gonna keep shooting” said Keller.
The Fleet exited the ice following the first period with a one goal lead. The score two-to-one Fleet.
The offense took the criticism from their past two games and channeled it into the back of the net during the first period. A new offense showed up Sunday afternoon and the Fleet played their best period thus far this season.
The second period began with both teams looking for an offensive opportunity. However shortly after the period began Susanna Tapani hit Sirens’ Sarah Fillier. Tapani appeared to board Sarah Fillier into the bench with the door open.