Boston captures the rematch
Tapani nets winner against Ottawa in Lowell
Susanna Tapani scored some payback for Boston.
The slick-skating forward scored the game-winning goal, as Boston defeated Ottawa, 3-1, in Professional Women’s Hockey League action Wednesday night at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.
Fresh off a frustrating 4-2 loss to their Canadian rivals two days earlier, Tapani and her squad exacted sweet revenge, while snapping its four-game losing streak, in front of 1,889 fans.
Boston (5-4-0-2) leapfrogs over Ottawa for fifth place in the PWHL standings. Boston’s had dropped six of its first seven at home.
“I loved the way our team started,” said Boston team captain Hilary Knight. “The way that we were moving the puck, the way we closed the game out. We’re really starting to get some solid minutes from this green squad, and to do it at home is big for us.”
Loren Gabel gave the Tsongas Center crowd something to cheer about early, scoring off a crisp wrist shot from the right hash marks at 7:35 of the first period. Alina Müller and Jess Healey picked up the assists. Müller leads PWHL with eight assists, while ranking second in points with 10.
Kateřina Mrázová provided the equalizer for Ottawa. Catching a drop pass from Daryl Watts, the forward powered her way to the net, scoring off her own rebound following a pad save from Aerin Frankel (29 saves) tying the game with 3:23 remaining in the period. Boston outshot Ottawa 8-6 by the first intermission.
Boston quickly regrouped in the second stanza, with Tapani leading the charge. Boston’s newest acquisition, the forward
looked right at home buzzing the Ottawa net, before redirecting a Megan Keller blueline blast from the left
point past goalie Emerance Maschmeyer (30 saves), just 45 seconds into the frame.
Tapani and teammate Abby Cook were part of the first trade in PWHL history, coming from Minnesota in exchange for defenseman Sophie
Jacques on Feb. 11. She’s quickly turning into a fan favorite centering Boston’s second line flanked by Jamie Lee Rattray and Theresa Schafzahl.
Frankel stayed on top of her game. The former Northeastern netminder
stoned Akane Shiga off a clean breakaway just 1:06 into the third period.
Knight sealed the victory, scoring off a twoon-one break with Gabel, ripping a shot past Maschmeyer glove side,
with 6:11 remaining.
“It’s huge,” said Knight. “We’ve been working our way through the season, and to be able to win at home in front of our hometown fans that continue to support us, has been awesome.”