On Sunday, March 29, the Boston Fleet took on the Minnesota Frost for their third game of the 2025-26 Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) season. Heading into this game, both teams had one win under their belt in the season series.
The Fleet took an early lead with two goals in the first period. The Frost tied it up halfway into the second, but another goal from Boston shortly after put the Fleet back in the lead. With the Fleet scoring the only goal in the third period, they took a 4-2 win over the Frost. Boston now leads the season series.
Boston Had a Full Team Effort
Heading into this game, the Fleet were hoping to keep their three-game win streak alive. They came out swinging, scoring two goals in the first period. The Frost are a tough team, and although they tied the game in the second, the Fleet were quick to get back on the board and keep the lead for the remainder of the game. They never allowed Minnesota to get the best of them.
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The game was a full team effort from Boston, with both rookie and veteran players putting up points. Haley Winn scored her fourth goal of the season to kick off the scoring for the Fleet, while veteran Sophie Shirley scored twice and Liz Schepers netted her fifth of the season.
With her two goals in this game, Shirley now has eight points, making this her current career-high point total. In her first season with Boston, she scored three goals, so she has now tied her career high. There is still plenty of the regular season left, and she has ample time to get a larger total.
Winn is in her rookie season and currently has 16 points. She is third overall on the Fleet leaderboard, with just Megan Keller and Susanna Tapani sitting above her. Winn was selected second overall in the 2025 PWHL Draft and has been having a strong first season in the league. She may be a defender, but she has an excellent eye for scoring.
Thiele Earned Her First PWHL Start and Win
There is no denying that Aerin Frankel has been exceptional in net for the Fleet this season. She currently holds the record for the most shutouts in a single season with six. She also holds the longest consecutive shutout record at 191:01 and has not allowed a single goal in her last nine periods of hockey.
A lot was on the line for Boston in this game, but one thing was for sure: they needed to give Frankel a break. The Fleet played Amanda Thiele and dressed Abbey Levy as the backup goaltender. Thiele was Boston’s sixth-round draft pick in the 2025 PWHL Draft, so this also marked her first PWHL game. She had a great performance, recording a save percentage (SV%) of .913, making 21 of 23 saves.
When asked about how Thiele performed in this game, assistant coach Stefanie McKeough stated, “Wonderfully. We never had a doubt. Look, we know that we’re super, super lucky to have the goaltending trio we have, and we had a conversation, and we knew that Thiele would do it. We see how hard she works every day; she puts in tons of hours.”
Thiele proved to herself and her team that she has what it takes to be in the net for Boston. As the season comes to a close, and the Fleet will need to rest Frankel more, hopefully Thiele gets some more time in the crease.
Fleet Clinch the First Playoff Spot in the 2025-26 Season
With their win in this game, the Fleet are the first team to punch their ticket to the Walter Cup Playoffs in the 2025-26 season. This Boston team continues to make history this season, as they have now become the fastest to clinch a playoff spot in PWHL history.
The Fleet are at the top of the standings with 51 points. They are now the second team to reach 50 points in a season. The Montreal Victoire were the first to reach 50 points last season with 53 total. If Boston continues on the absolute tear they have been on, they will likely surpass Montreal and hold yet another record this season.
Fleet Stay on the Road
The Fleet will have over a week to get ready for their next game on Tuesday, April 7, when they take on the Vancouver Goldeneyes.
The season series between the Fleet and the Frost will conclude on April 15 in Boston.
