A Historic Night at TD Garden Shows What’s Next for Women’s Hockey

The doors opened early on Causeway Street on April 11, and by the time the puck dropped, 17,850 fans had devoted their Saturday nights to filling the stands for a historic moment.

For the first time, the Boston Fleet took the ice at TD Garden, hosting the Montréal Victoire in front of a sold-out crowd that felt equal parts celebration and statement. Women’s hockey had arrived on one of the sport’s biggest stages, and the crowd was ready for it.

The night emphasized Boston's deep hockey roots, as Zdeno Chara walked out in Fleet green to drop the ceremonial puck, standing beneath his No. 33 hanging in the rafters. Later, Patrice Bergeron was spotted in the crowd, another reminder of the building’s lineage that the PWHL has now become a part of.

Zdeno Chara performing the ceremonial puck drop with Megan Keller and Skylar Irving. Courtesy of Karinna Leonard

The game wasted no time matching the frenzied energy in the stands. A big early hit on Abby Roque sparked the first scrum of the night, setting the tone for another physical matchup in this rivalry. Boston earned the first power play when Dara Greig was sent to the "Brig" for tripping, but the Fleet’s struggles with the extra skater continued. They were handed another opportunity less than a minute later on an Alexandra Labelle boarding penalty, but again came up empty.

The score remained deadlocked as the second period intensified. Five minutes in, goaltender Aerin Frankel turned aside a point-blank chance from Laura Stacey in the slot. The save triggered another net-front scrum and matching roughing minors, pushing the game briefly to 4-on-4.

Even during stoppages, the energy never dipped. A second-period timeout turned into a moment that reflected the league’s growing community and welcoming environment for all.  The jumbotron found Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova—known to many as Svetlana Vetrova—who had earlier read the Fleet starting lineup.

Courtesy of pwhl_fleet/Instagram

As “All the Things She Said” played through the arena, the camera panned across fans in Hollander and Rozanov jerseys holding up signs, drawing a thunderous response. The screen then showed Aram Matagi and Felix Eller, recent winners of a Heated Rivalry lookalike, adding to the atmosphere. What may have seemed lighthearted on the surface underscored something bigger: the sense of belonging the PWHL continues to build.

Back on the ice, the intensity never let up. After 40 tightly contested minutes—featuring multiple scrums, matching roughing penalties, and an additional minor to Ella Huber for cross-checking—the game remained scoreless.

The breakthrough finally midway through the final frame. With 14:08 remaining, Laura Stacey cut through the left circle and set up Lins Ljungblom for the game’s first goal, giving Montréal a 1–0 lead.

Courtesy of PWHL_Montreal/X

Boston pushed to respond, pulling Frankel with just under three minutes to play. The Fleet generated sustained zone time in the closing moments, but were unable to find the equalizer. In a playoff-like environment, the Victoire held on for a 1–0 victory to maintain their place atop the standings.

Despite the result, the night was about more than the final score. From a sold-out crowd to elite hockey and celebrity sightings—including Derrick White in attendance—the game reflected the league’s growing reach. The Fleet also partnered with KultureCity, alongside Eva Erickson, to help make the game more accessible for all fans. This effort during Autism Acceptance Month helped show that hockey truly is for everyone, giving the night significance far beyond the standings.

Boston Fleet soaking in the moment at TD Garden. Courtesy of Karinna Leonard

After the game, Megan Keller and Aerin Frankel spoke with media, emphasizing the significance of the moment. When asked what the next generation can take away from the PWHL selling out TD Garden, Keller said, "They have something to look forward tọ when they're our age. When we were growing up, we were dreaming of playing in the NHL. And tonight I think they saw that they can play in a professional hockey league, and they can sell out buildings that the men play in."

Keller added, "The buzz around women's hockey and around our league and every venue we're going into, it's loud and the seats are filled, and fans are passionate. So it's an exciting time for us."

Fleet head coach Kris Sparre echoed that optimism for the future, saying, "I think the fans really brought it tonight, and if we had the opportunity to play here more, we’d certainly welcome that."

On a night where 17,850 fans filled TD Garden not just to witness a game, but to help write the next chapter in women’s hockey, the message coming out of Boston was clear. The next generation doesn’t have to imagine what it looks like to play on this stage, because on Saturday night they saw it, felt it, and left knowing it already belongs to them.

Edited by: Kelly Cassette