LOWELL — PWHL Boston goalie Aerin Frankel lifted up her mask and took a deep breath after the final horn sounded on Wednesday.
Boston had just lost to Minnesota, 3-0, in a series-deciding Game 5 of the Walter Cup, and now Minnesota was celebrating on Boston’s home ice at the Tsongas Center in Lowell while preparations were made for the trophy ceremony.
Frankel stood in the middle of the ice near her team’s blue line and watched it all unfold. While she stood, a quiet chant started to form from a corner of the sold out crowd, and then it grew until the entire arena was chanting in unison.
“Frankel! Frankel! Frankel!”
Despite the loss, Boston’s home crowd knew that the final score would have been much worse if it wasn’t for Frankel’s heroics between the pipes.
Minnesota finished Wednesday’s game with 44 shots, with Frankel saving 41, while Boston finished with 17 shots on net.
Frankel’s play in net powered Boston to the championship series, but her play alone wasn’t enough to give the team a championship victory.
“She’s literally the best goalie in the world right now,” Boston forward Jamie-Lee Rattray said. “She stood on her head and helped us during the first few rounds of the playoffs. We are going to back her up more next year. We couldn’t get any in for her tonight, but she was phenomenal all year.”
Frankel finished the postseason with a save percentage of 0.953 and a 1.45 goals against average.
The game remained scoreless at the end of the first period, but Minnesota started to take control in the second period by out-shooting Boston in the frame, 16-7.
Despite Minnesota’s constant peppering on net, Frankel only let one goal slide in, keeping Boston in the game.
“That game in the second (period) could have opened up a lot greater without Aerin in between the pipes,” Boston forward Hilary Knight said. “She stood on her head all year. She showed up every day. We couldn’t be more grateful for her throughout the year. Hopefully we can help her more up front next year. But she’s the best goalie in the league. No doubt about it.”
Despite the loss, Frankel was named the player of the game for her performance on Wednesday.
“Super humble off the ice and so quick in the way she tracks the puck,” Boston coach Courtney Kessel said when asked to explain Frankel. “It’s incredible, her ability to see those shots last second and make those saves. We wouldn’t be here today without her.”
