By: Alexis Caines | Follow me on Twitter/X @alexiscaines_
The Boston Fleet have had a stellar season. On many accounts, they’ve exceeded preseason expectations. And as of late, the offense has been clicking to get rid of the one-goal games. Aerin Frankel has done her job in net exceptionally well; she is the MVP of the Fleet roster, and probably the whole league. It was Saturday night against the Montréal Victoire where mistakes came to the forefront.
It was a defensive duel for the full 60 minutes, with the lone goal only coming in the third period. Ann-Renée Desbiens and Aerin Frankel are two of the best goaltenders in the world, and they both displayed that in full during the game.
What felt like the biggest disappointment for Boston was their failed power-play attempts. It’s been a struggle this season, with only 11 PPGs scored. It registers at a 12.6%, sixth in the league.
On the other end of the spectrum, their penalty kill has been dominant. Allowing only six goals the entire season, a 91.5%. So it presents what might seem obvious: just how dangerous can this team be when both special teams are firing successfully?
Black N’ Gold Productions spoke to Fleet Head Coach Kris Sparre about the importance of special teams. “It’s a high priority for us right now. If you’re going to have success down the stretch in the playoffs and in big moments, you have to have good special teams.”
During the game against the Victoire, the Fleet had four opportunities on the advantage. Across those eight minutes combined, they only registered two shots on goal, adding to their low final shot total of 20.
“I’d like to see us creating a lot more chances on our power-play,” said Sparre after the game. “In a real tight game [with a low amount of shots] there’s not a lot of opportunities going back and forth, and so when you get special teams you’ve got to capitalize.”
At the conclusion of a scoreless performance, looking back on the power-play attempts is frustrating. They were met with Montréal’s top-ranked penalty kill, who have only allowed five PPGs the entire season.
Both Montréal and Boston admitted that the game felt like the playoffs, in both the atmosphere and the physicality. The Fleet cruised into the 2026 Walter Cup playoffs, becoming the quickest clinch in PWHL history.
There’s a lot that’s gone right in Boston this season. Frankel is putting up the best numbers of her career, the offense is clicking more and more, and the rookies have fit right in with the crew.
With just four games remaining before the playoffs, a main focus of Sparre and his team should be the power play. The playoffs are going to be intense and likely come down to goaltending and special teams; they’ve certainly got two of those down between Frankel and a top penalty-killing unit.
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