r/bostonfleet

I come from a big sports family but never myself felt very attached to a particular team. I've gone to many NHL games, a few MLB games, a few NFL games, and always loved the idea of the community around a specific sport/team but just never felt it.

Enter the PWHL.

I came out a few years ago and left my marriage to a man at 33. So that's definitely part of my story and originally why i felt drawn to the players (i meaaaan 💅🏻) but honestly it became so much more than that.

This is a sports community i finally felt comfortable in, felt safe in, and felt welcomed in. Zero gatekeeping, warm welcomes, hilarious and smart signs, good vibes etc. The first game i went to was a walter cup finals game in 2024, i saw someone hold up a towel sign that said "I love lesbians" and honestly I was sold from there.

I made it to 9 regular season games and 2 playoff games, was a STH at agganis and made a plan to (and accomplished!!) seeing every team in the league at least once. As a rhode island girly with an anchor anf wave tattoo, the theme just suits me.

I love all the fan designed "merch" in bracelets etc. I even made some "Let's Go LesBians" stickers to give out at games! (Gave some to Rattray and Zoe after the TD garden game!)

Anyway, I'm super proud of these girls, the fans, and just grateful i finally found my team.

See you next season, crew.

Coach Sparre was asked about the possibility of Keller playing for Detroit and was very clear, it's not happening.

So Boston folks, you can breathe. (Sorry, Detroit fans!)

It's so hard to believe we've come point, but here we are. This team fought hard and battled back, not just in their last game, but in every game this season. They played 34 games of competitive hockey, and won 23 of them, holding the record for the fewest regulation losses in the regular season. Including the playoffs, each of their losses was decided by one goal, minus just three games where teams were able to increase the deficit with the empty net (12/19, 3/17, 5/2). Every game they played was winnable. If they were behind, they clawed their way to get within one goal, to tie, or go ahead (ask Montreal how being up 3-0 worked out for them on 3/15). They were also the fastest team to clinch a playoff berth in league history, tied for the most points ever in PWHL history and only ended up with second place after the second tiebreaker of overtime wins. That the journey ends here seems unfathomable.

Despite the projected lineup for this game, Coach Sparre had the lines "in a blender," as Cheryl Pounder said, and the starting lineup gave us the second new look version of the Pink Scrunchie Club, with Susanna Tapani subbed in for Abby Newhook. Finnish Scrunchie Club? I dunno. The Fleet are aggressive at the outset and get some good looks early, This period felt a bit more stressful, maybe in part because of the stakes involved, but the Fleet held steady and kept to their gameplan. Aggressive forecheck, shot first mentality.

Daniela Pejšová was called for a very weak boarding call, with Rebecca Leslie basically just falling down into the boards next to her. It's hard to believe, but this was the only penalty called against the Fleet, vs. five for the Charge (that number should be higher, but I digress). It didn't take long for them to take advantage, as Fanuza Kadirova hit a shot from the point after a bit of tic tac toe, with the puck deflecting off of Sarah Wozniewicz to get past Frankel just six minutes in. The Fleet would get a power play opportunity later in the first, but were unable to execute.

The second period would open with Newhook and Ella Huber (roommate line?) connecting on a play right off the bat, but Gwyneth Philips came out to challenge and deny Huber in front. Frankel would return the favor to deny Gabby Hughes on a 2-on-1, and a subsequent shot from Kadirova. The Fleet fought to get the puck back in and Hadley Hartmetz got off a shot in front. Brianne Jenner would crash Frankel's net, pulling her out of position; Jenner was able to send the puck back across behind Frankel's outstretched pad, across the goal, where it was kicked in by Leslie. On commentary, they said that she was just skidding into it, but her foot clearly moves to the puck as she's coming to a stop. Nevertheless, it's called a good goal.

At this point, the Fleet have had enough, and off an offensive zone faceoff, Haley Winn skates around the dot to the net and puts one into Philips' pads. Shay Maloney is right there to whack it in for the Fleet's first goal (Huber secondary). Cut to Coach Sparre on the bench, and he's got a huge smile and a couple of expletives. God, I love that guy. But wait, we're not done! Eldridge gets knocked down and the refs call interference on Gabbie Hughes. Just twelve seconds of puck movement, Winn to Alina Müller, on to Megan Keller for her patented one-timer, and it finds the net with Newhook creating a screen in front. But hang on--Winn with a stretch pass to Jill Saulnier, who fires from along the boards. It hits Philips' pads and bounces off, but Sophie Shirley, using her blazing speed, is crashing the net and there for the rebound to put the Fleet ahead 3-2 in a span of just 93 seconds.

The fun would be short lived, however, as Ottawa would tie the game just a few minutes later. Kadirova rushed in on Frankel, took a shot, and Frankel made the save, but it ends up to her left. Brooke Hobson continued her path to the net to go after the puck, took a swipe and missed. Rylind MacKinnon had her stick on it and was holding it along the post, but Hobson's foot, reaching around the post, pushed the puck across the line. They didn't even bother to give this one a proper review, and this was even more of an egregious kick in than the last one. I don't know about you, but I sure would love the coaches' challenge to come back.

After the play, MacKinnon is randomly shoved into frame of the goal celebration by Jocelyn Laroque, where Katerina Mrazova takes her by the head and pushes her to the ice. Four Ottawa players then stand over her and won't let her get up. Absolutely no idea what started this, as there was nothing in a replay and no context given. No penalties, either. Speaking of which, Müller takes a bad open ice hit and has difficulty getting up for a good while. I feel like someone forgot to tell this ref crew that open ice hits aren't allowed in the PWHL, because there were several in this game, and none were punished. The refs let this one get out of control, and it's a wonder no one was seriously hurt. I specifically say "seriously" because players remained in the game who were clearly in pain or discomfort. Tapani would get blatantly tripped by Mrázová later in the period, her leg fully hooked out and upwards, and came down on her knee. She labored off the bench but did return.

The period ended with a high stick by Jenner and they actually did call that one, so the Fleet went to the power play. They had a couple of opportunities, with Keller teeing up but being blocked, ultimately getting two shots but nothing stuck. Ottawa committed a tripping penalty almost immediately afterwards, so the Fleet had another chance with the advantage, but were once again unsuccessful. Saulnier brought the puck all the way to the net, but was taken down by a double team. Defensively, they had good stick play to break up plays on the back check and kept their game aggressive. Bizarre strategy by Ottawa to check players into Philips and then get angry about the contact with Philips. She loses her blocker for a whistle here and earlier when under duress "lost" her glove. New goalie strategy: if you don't like the pressure, drop some equipment.

The game would go to overtime after no additional scoring in the third, and there was immediate gut-wrenching regret as Müller positioned herself behind Philips and had an opportunity to shoot into an empty net, but put the shot wide and across the crease. I know she's going to be thinking about that for a long time. Saulnier would generate another chance when she leapt on the puck behind the net when Philips came out to clear and sent it quickly to Mobley in front, but Philips was able to return to deflect the shot before it could get through.

Saulnier would have another chance of her own when she came in all alone, but was tripped up from behind by Jenner. It's called holding, and the Fleet go on the power play for the final time, and are unsuccessful. Realistically, this should have been a penalty shot. I could go on about the refs setting the tone by not calling dirty play in this game and every game of the series, but I feel like I'd be beating a dead horse since it's been a topic of discussion in every game.

The Fleet outshot the Charge in every period so far this game. Then, it went to second overtime. Right out the gate, Ottawa was aggressive, controlled the game, and got pucks on net, with three shots in the first minute. The third was, really, a perfect setup with Mrázová poised for a shot, which Frankel had to respect, only for her to pass to Michela Cava beside the net, who ended the Fleet's season.

They played well enough to win this game. They played well enough to win all of them. That they're not playing at Tsongas on Tuesday or already gearing up for the finals just feels like we got the playoffs from an alternate universe. Nevertheless, here we are. It hurts. It sucks. I have never believed in anything more than I believed in this team. I never quit on them, and they certainly never quit on us. Thank you, Boston Fleet, for one hell of a ride.

Three Stars: 1. Michela Cava, 2. Fanuza Kadirova, 3. Haley Winn

Shoutouts: The whole team, really, but individually...

Aerin Frankel: It's unbelievable the bad luck she had. I've seen people say her performance was "disappointing," or that she was "off her game," despite only allowing two more goals than Philips throughout the series. I guess that's what happens when you set the regular season record for shutouts and only allow two goals through five Olympic starts; positioning your team to win by allowing nine goals in across four games is "disappointing." Credit to Philips for making the saves she did, and there were a ton of them, but it's still baffling to me how many pucks stopped short of the line, hit posts and crossbars, the side of the net, or just barely missed wide, while Ottawa always seemed to have physics on their side with every bounce or deflection, off a stick, a skate, a helmet, the boards... or, y'know, just kicked in, in two cases, but I digress. Frankel saved 29/33 in a double overtime game. The Fleet wouldn't have made it this far or had the season they did without her. Give her her flowers.

Alina Müller: One assist, led the team with six shots, two hits, 30:40 TOI, and just nearly missed having the game winner. She finishes tied for second in playoff points, with a goal and three assists, and has been indispensable to this team. She also finished the regular season second in assists with 17. The non-PWHL internet is sharing clips of her missing the net in OT, and it breaks my heart. I'm sure she's losing sleep over that, and although it really, really sucks that it didn't go in, no one should be angry at her. She worked her ass off to get the team where they got, and to try to win every game. She's the Fleet's all-time leading scorer. Don't let one shot color your opinion of one of the best players in the league.

Megan Keller: Led the team with 43:34 TOI, the game tying goal, and provided indispensable leadership. She captained the Fleet to their best season ever, and you could visibly see how she tried to lift the team up when they were down. She still has the best celly in the league, throwing her arms out and calling everyone in for a hug. Coach Sparre says there is a "0% chance" of her leaving in expansion, so we can count on her being here next year, despite whatever rumors people might like to throw around.

Haley Winn: Two assists, two shots, two hits, 40:06 TOI. What an amazing season from the soon-to-be Rookie of the Year. One of the most dependable players in the league, as well as the most well-rounded, and clearly so dedicated to her craft. If there's one thing you should have learned about hockey from watching Haley Winn this year, it's that defense is just as exciting to watch as offense. Oh, and she can provide that, too.

Jessie Eldridge: One assist, five shots, 30:58 TOI. Also had a hit, and a few nice defensive plays. She fought hard to find the net, just as hard in the other end, and took some big hits for her efforts, as well. She was such a great pickup, and pink scrunchies became all the rage in Boston since she arrived. I really hope there is a way we can re-sign her.

Sophie Shirley: Just 6:32 of ice time, and she made it count, putting the Fleet ahead 3-2 in the second. Heading into the season, she hadn't scored a goal since March of 2024, but when I met her in November I told her this would be her year, and asked her to score one for me. She scored four. She had a great series, and is so underrated for what she brings to the team.

Hannah Brandt: Hard to believe that this was her last game with the Fleet. For those who don't know, she is retiring from hockey after this season to be a physician's assistant. In this game, she had 15:09 TOI and was an awesome 12/17 from the faceoff dot. She will absolutely be missed.

What's Next: Well, we tune in tonight for game five of the other series, see who wins the finals, then the expansion draft begins to unfold beginning May 28th when signings and protections begin to happen and we start to learn the direction of the 2026-27 Boston Fleet. The team will be different. Going into this season, it seemed like we took a huge hit and all of the pundits said we would finish last. We may very well lose some favorites, but before we know it, we'll have new ones. Remember how exciting this season was with this group of players cobbled together with zero expectations.

The offseason will likely be difficult, as it was last year. Think about how much more of a popular free agent destination Boston is going to be with the team, the locker room, and the coaching staff people just witnessed this year. Have faith in Danielle Marmer's ability to build a team, and Kris Sparre's ability to take them where they need to go. Come November, we'll all be on board chanting, "Let's go Boston," and I can't wait.

All hand painted by my incredible nail tech! Let’s Go Fleet!

Devastated about the game last night but at least my cat looked cute in team swag 🥲 Hope sharing this helps lighten some spirits!

(The pattern on the side shown is clearly meant for dogs but the other side is more pet-neutral.)

EDIT: I should say IF your cat tolerates bandanas! My boy loves them so I forget most cats don’t 😅

See you next year

The Fleet's semifinal series against the Charge took a frustrating turn last night. Actually, frustrating is an understatement. They now find themselves down 2-1, despite having outshot and arguably outplayed Ottawa in all three games. The Fleet were unable to capitalize on multiple chances and still haven't figured out the power play though, which could have helped put the game away earlier--a constant theme this season, sadly. It looked like we were headed for overtime, and then... yeah. Let's start at the top.

The starting lineup featured a neat spin on the Pink Scrunchie Club, with Jamie Lee Rattray subbed for Abby Newhook. Something something, pink scrunchie on a rat tail--I got nothing. Jessie Eldridge makes a nice play to break up Emily Clark's attempt to bring the puck into the defensive end, and then the Fleet kept the pressure high in the early going maintaining constant offensive zone pressure. Great forecheck and puck possession. Keller tried a nifty wraparound, and there were multiple shots from the blueline. Philips was forced to cover up often, leading to repeated offensive zone faceoffs. The sustained pressure is something they absolutely need to keep up. It's specifically what led to Ottawa's second goal in game two and I was hoping they'd turn the tables here, but no dice.

Pejšová gets called for delay of game when she sends the puck over the glass, but it's quickly nullified by a hooking call of Gabbie Hughes, leading to 4-on-4 and a brief power play. Nothing doing. More sustained O-zone pressure and as the Charge begin to get the puck back and engage in a bit more of a back and forth, the Fleet keep getting the puck back until Rattray gets an absolutely ridiculous tripping call. There were a bunch of things that could have been called in this game, ranging from cross checks, to interference, to illegal checks, and roughing that weren't, but two players sliding into each other and falling down is called a trip. During the penalty kill, Rylind MacKinnon, back in the lineup, makes a great play to get her leg down and disrupt a pass. The Fleet kill the penalty, but just as Rattray gets out of the box and is rushing back to join the play, Fanuza Kadirova is able to shoot through a screen and put one past Aerin Frankel.

The game had begun to turn rough by this point, and the officials were doing absolutely nothing to control it. There was a nice moment where Jill Saulnier, Riley Brengman, and Sophie Shirley would join forces to protect Frankel and police the net after a whistle. Back the other way, Eldridge and Alina Müller broke in and got a few consecutive chances, and Laura Kluge had a great look as well. She had a solid game from start to finish--awesome having her back in the lineup. Meanwhile, we've got interference, we've got illegal checks. Philips covers up after Mobley takes a shot and despite being nowhere near Philips or even the crease, Mobley takes a cross check to the face. No call.

Second period, Newhook fights Jocelyn Laroque along the boards for control of the puck, which was fantastic. Scary moment when Megan Keller gets hooked and taken down, and takes out Haley Winn in the process. They both labor off and look hurt. Refs don't care. The Fleet finally tie the game though, when Shay Maloney and Liz Schepers rush in, Maloney wrists the puck off of Philips' pads, and Schepers is right there to bury the rebound. Textbook.

Big question of the night, what the hell was going on with the ice? Everyone kept falling down. Players, refs, and when Frankel went behind the net to play the puck at one point, she would also fall down. Thankfully, she was okay, and she alone back there so it didn't lead to anything dangerous...

A second delay of game penalty, this time by the Charge, leads to the Fleet's best power play opportunity they've had in some time. Rattray takes the puck behind the net for a wraparound and has the empty net to execute, but curls half a second too early and tucks the puck into the side of the post. There's some additional chaos that leaves the puck sitting in front of the line, but it remains out. They would get another chance on the penalty kill (Saulnier for tripping) when Schepers made a bid for her second, but she's held and taken down before she can get a proper shot off. You guessed it: no call, no penalty shot.

Müller then randomly becomes Ottawa's punching bag, first getting taken down for no reason whatsoever, getting cross checked from behind by Rory Guilday, with whom she had not even been interacting prior to that. Guilday goes off for roughing. Fleet on the power play, Philips has to cover up, Newhook takes one extra poke and she gets knocked down. Refs just step in and separate. Another play in front, Philips covers up, Müller takes one poke at Philips' pad and skates away. Ronja Savolainen then skates after her, puts her in a rear headlock--absolutely uncalled for. Eldridge tries to help out and separate them and Savolainen pie faces her and knocks her down. Savolainen goes off for roughing, and they send Müller for "slashing" for one light poke at a goalie's pads while the puck was still live. Good lord, these refs.

They would have a lot of good entries in the third, and their forecheck remained consistently aggressive, as well. Saulnier and Shirley would combine for a nice setup. Müller would hit the post, and was again denied on a falling shot after a setup from Newhook and Eldridge. Winn drove the net and was denied, leading to some utterly bizarre don't-see-everyday madness, as several players desperately hunted in front of Philips for the puck, which had already rolled out to the side and been collected by Ottawa, who were skating it out. Fortunately, both Fleet defenders were aware and skating back with them. The other players would eventually notice and catch up, but extended chaos unfolded in the Fleet's end until Frankel was finally able to collect and freeze the puck.

Guilday was sent off for interference for a late hit on Kluge, and the Fleet had one last chance on the power play to get something going, but couldn't deliver. The clock ticked down, and everyone braced for overtime, until Savolainen hit a shot from the blue line that went wide and ricocheted off the boards. Frankel came out of her net to recover it, but it took an odd bounce, hit the back of her pad and caromed right into the net, despite Winn diving in to stop it, with just 29 seconds remaining. A last ditch effort to tie saw two near misses, but time would unfortunately run out, and Ottawa now holds a 2-1 lead in the best of five series.

Needless to say, Fleet fans, myself included, are collectively traumatized by how that game ended. I'm still in shock. What does strike me is how calm Coach Sparre and Liz Schepers were at the post game press conference. The fact is, they still have two more games to do this. As horrible as how that game ended feels, and I'm hoping to scrub it from my brain, the people who play these games are professionals. As I said elsewhere, if anyone can get past that, it's Frankel, and if any coach can keep the team focused and motivated after a loss like that, it's Coach Sparre. This team also has the leadership amongst the players, too. There was a great shot of Rattray pounding on the bench and screaming encouragement at the team as they lined up for the faceoff after the goal. This team never quits. I believe in them, and I know they won't want a game like that to be what people think of when they remember them.

This is what's driving me crazy: Philips might be standing on her head and making some incredible saves, but the Fleet have had her beat several times; they just aren't finishing. Wraparounds into the side of the net, posts and crossbars, breakaways and not getting shots off, pucks getting past her and not crossing the line--the amount of puck luck the Charge have had and the Fleet have not is nigh improbable, while Frankel has allowed the same number of goals, and only one of them hasn't been the result of some weird trajectory off a deflection or bounce, or incredibly bad luck on a shot that wasn't even on goal. You've got to think that it's going to even out sooner or later.

Three Stars: 1. Gwyneth Philips, 2. Ronja Savolainen, 3. Liz Schepers

Shoutouts: Aerin Frankel: You poor, poor thing. I just want to give her a giant hug. On paper saved 20/22, but more like 20/21 because the second goal technically wasn't on a SOG and is a case of the worst luck imaginable. I fully expect her to bounce back, with a vengeance.

Liz Schepers: Awesome game from her, great goal, great play all around. Four shots and a hit.

Jessie Eldridge: Team high seven shots and a hit. She was doing everything she could to put the puck in the net. Good things are going to come. I can feel it.

Laura Kluge: Welcome back! Great game from her. She was everywhere, throwing three hits, getting some looks at the net. She took a late hit at one point and turned around to give it right back. It's good to have her back in the lineup.

Megan Keller and Haley Winn: They're so valuable and do so much to help the team on every shift. Hope they're both doing okay after taking that spill. They were both on the ice the rest of the game, which is obviously good news.

What's Next: The Fleet return for game four of the semifinal against the Ottawa Charge, tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 p.m. EDT at the Canadian Tire Center, looking to even the series and send it back to Tsongas on the 12th.

In the meantime, treat yourself. Distract yourself. Don't wallow in last night's loss. Every loss is a learning experience. Get out your frustrations if you need to. Play some video games. Eat a pint of ice cream. The new Mortal Kombat movie is awesome if you need to get out of the house. It's Dave Gahan's birthday; listen to some Depeche Mode. Take a ride with your best friend. The sun will shine. The bottom line, we're still in this.