LOWELL — The Boston Fleet returned from their nine-day break with a win against the Ottawa Charge at Tsongas Center. Both teams lost two of their last three entering Tuesday night’s matchup.
Both teams went into the final 20 minutes of play tied at 2-2, but Hannah Brandt scored the game-winning goal for Boston to give the home team its second straight victory and first win streak of the season.
The first 20 minutes saw a combined 16 shots between both teams but goalies Aerin Frankel and Emerance Maschmeyer stood on their heads for Boston and Ottawa, respectively, to keep the game scoreless.
The second period was a different story with four goals scored.
The game’s first goal came 2:18 into the second period when Jamie Lee Rattray buried her first goal of the season. Ottawa tied things up four minutes later with a goal from Shiann Darkangelo — who began last season with the Fleet before being traded to the Charge — but Boston reclaimed the lead two minutes later thanks to Shay Maloney’s first PWHL goal.
With 3:42 left in the second Aneta Tejralova — who spent a season with the PHF’s Boston Pride — shot one right past Frankel to make it 2-2 as Ottawa tied the game for a second time in the period.
The game remained tied for the first half of the third period until Brandt ripped one past Maschmeyer to give the Fleet their third and final lead of the game with help from a nice pass from Hilary Knight from behind the net.
The Charge went on a crucial power play with about seven minutes left when Sydney Bard was called for boarding in the third period. But the Fleet killed it off thanks to some big saves from Frankel.
Ottawa pulled Maschmeyer in the final two minutes for the extra skater, but Frankel once again stood on her head despite the Charge’s best effort. The Northeastern product stopped 24 of 26 shots in the win.
Boston now has 10 days off and returns to action Dec. 27 against the Toronto Sceptres at Coca-Cola Center.
