PWHL

Aerin Frankel claims Game 1 of Walter Cup Finals for PWHL Boston over PWHL Minnesota

Frankel made 30 saves to lead Boston to a 4-3 win Sunday in Game 1 of the Walter Cup Finals.

Emily Brown bumped fists with Alina Muller (right) while their PWHL Boston teammates encircled goalie Aerin Frankel following the Game 1 win.

By Kat Cornetta, The Boston Globe

May 20, 2024

3 minutes to read

LOWELL — Aerin Frankel continues to be the difference maker for PWHL Boston.

After a semifinal series during which she was a powerhouse, Frankel made 30 saves to lead Boston to a 4-3 win Sunday in Game 1 of the Walter Cup Finals at Tsongas Center.

Jess Healey’s goal late in the second period off a deflection was the game-winner. The goal was the first of the postseason for Healey.

“Aerin came up huge again,” Boston coach Courtney Kessel said. “She is a tremendous hockey player. She’s small and she’s mighty, and we’re going to continue to lean on her.”

Aerin Frankel made 30 saves in Boston’s win, including a big third-period stop with Minnesota’s Michela Cava closing in fast.

The game opened on an odd note when Megan Keller was called for interference 10 seconds into the game. Boston killed off the penalty but at 4:38, a behind-the-back pass from first overall draft pick Taylor Heise found the stick of Michela Cava, who scored a wraparound goal to put Minnesota ahead.

Susanna Tapani quickly answered for Boston. The semifinal heroine struck again, scoring on a blistering shot at 7:08 to tie the game.

Minnesota established possession in the Boston zone early in the second period, and the host struggled to get the puck out. When Boston did gain possession, Sidney Morin took a fabulous shot toward the Minnesota net that was blocked by a sprawling defender. Showing its stellar transition play, Minnesota brought the puck back into the offensive zone and soon scored. Cava and Heise combined again, with Heise shooting past Frankel this time to put Minnesota ahead, 2-1, at 8:04 of the second.

“I have had nothing but confidence from my teammates,” Heise said. “My teammates make it really hard to play a bad game.”

Boston shook off its slow start. Taylor Wenczkowski played the puck well against the boards behind Minnesota goalie Maddie Rooney (18 saves) and got the puck to Morin, who shoveled it to Gigi Marvin for a feed to Wenczkowski. The tying goal off Wenczkowski’s stick came at 12:50.

After forcing a turnover mid-ice, Boston took its time to find the perfect opportunity in the Minnesota zone. Hannah Brandt found her spot at 15:11, shooting from the left faceoff dot into the net for Boston’s first lead at 3-2.

Taylor Wenczkowski (center) and Jess Healey (right), scored two of Boston’s three goals in the second period, with Healey netting the game-winner.

In a funny twist, the goals by Wenczkowski and Brandt’s goals were scored with the same stick. Wenczkowski lost her stick just prior to scoring and Brandt handed hers over.

“She dropped hers, and our equipment manager got one quick, but not quick enough,” Brandt said. “I knew she was a righty, so I threw mine out, and I thought, ‘This will be hilarious if she scores with it.’ Then she did. Then the next shift, I scored. It’s a hot stick.”

Playing from behind apparently didn’t sit well with Heise. Two minutes later, she snuck the puck in a tiny gap between Frankel’s right pad and the post to tie the game at 17:10, even if the officials didn’t catch the goal at first.

The game didn’t stay tied for long. Just 15 seconds later, Healey’s deflection gave Boston the lead for good at 4-3.

All in all, the teams combined for four goals in 5:15 of the wild second and five overall in the period.

“We got in the locker room and someone asked, ‘What’s even the score right now?’ ” Brandt said.

Taylor Heise (left) scored twice but ran into the strong defense of Kaleigh Fratkin and Boston as Minnesota fell short in the third period.

Boston’s penalty kill was tested early in the third period when after the whistle blew for a bench minor for delay of game. The defense stepped up, only needing Frankel to make one save in the kill. Nine minutes later, Boston was left to play a player down again when Kaleigh Fratkin was sent to the box for tripping. The kill was steady and powerful again, including great work by Amanda Pelkey.

Heise’s tenaciousness set up another big opportunity for Minnesota with 4:11 left, but Frankel denied a Grace Zumwinkle shot with the shaft of her stick. Minnesota pulled Rooney for an extra attacker with 1:35 remaining, but Tapani made a deft block with 35 seconds remaining and Boston held on for the win.

The fast-paced game was one of Boston’s highest-scoring of the season, and Kessel hopes the pace continues in Game 2 on Tuesday night (7) at Tsongas Center.

“Our offense has been a big focus,” Kessel said. “Getting the puck in the net and scoring more than one or two goals. We needed that tonight.”