Shirley Returns as Fleet Defeat Torrent 3–0 Behind Frankel’s Record Night

When you attend a Boston Fleet game, there are a few things you can always expect to experience. One is the chants for Aerin Frankel echoing throughout the arena, growing louder with every save, and the energy rarely dips—whether it's a penalty kill or a routine breakout.

What you can also always expect is inclusion.

On Saturday afternoon at Tsongas Center, that feeling was impossible to miss. Fleet players arrived in mismatched socks, inviting fans to join them in recognizing World Down Syndrome Day. It was Kid's Day as well, adding to an already lively atmosphere as a record crowd of 6,164 packed the building.

Hannah Brandt and Megan Keller arriving to the game in their mismatched socks. Courtesy of pwhl_fleet/Instagram

The game was also marked by a new visual element on the ice. With UMass Lowell's season now complete, the Fleet debuted their "B" emblem at center ice for the first time this season.

After a rare shutout loss to the Toronto Sceptres, Boston entered their matchup against the Seattle Torrent with a refreshed lineup. Sophie Shirley returned for the first time since January 18, while Jamie Lee Rattray was back after exiting the team’s previous game in the final minutes.

The opening period struggled to find rhythm, as a steady stream of penalties on both sides meant eight of the first twenty minutes were played with a team shorthanded. Boston was assessed three minor penalties, while Seattle took one, but both penalty kill units held firm.

Despite the interruptions, the Fleet broke through at five-on-five in the eighth minute. At 8:06, Abby Newhook opened the scoring with her sixth goal of the season, finishing a play set up by Megan Keller and Haley Winn.

Abby Newhook's goal for the Fleet's first of the night. Courtesy of PWHL_Boston/X

Newhook and Keller both developed their games at Boston College, one of several collegiate programs heavily represented on the ice.

With the NCAA Frozen Four taking place over the weekend, Saturday's matchup served as a reminder of how closely the professional game is tied to the college level. With Sunday's championship set between Ohio State and Wisconsin, the connection felt especially timely. Ten players across Boston and Seattle have won national championships with those two powerhouse programs, highlighting the strength of the pipeline from college hockey to the PWHL.

That pipeline continues to shape the league in real time, and with another highly anticipated draft class on the horizon in 2026, its impact is only expected to grow.

Boston carried its 1-0 lead into the second period and began to tilt the ice more consistently, earning two power play opportunities, though the Fleet were unable to convert. Still, they controlled the shot count, outshooting the Torrent 26-18 through forty minutes.

In the third, the game finally opened up. At 4:33, Susanna Tapani doubled Boston's lead, finishing a backdoor setup from Sophie Shirley, a fitting moment in her first game back.

Head coach Kris Sparre emphasized Shirley's impact after the game, saying, "The first thing I noticed tonight was that we missed her speed while she was out...She's unbelievable on the forecheck, she tracks back so well, and she adds that element of pace to our game. You can visibly see how many pucks she was turning over on the forecheck and then she gets rewarded with an assist."

Player of the game Sophie Shirley earned the wheel in the locker room. Courtesy of PWHL_Boston/X

Minutes later, the energy inside Tsongas surged again. Off a faceoff, with music still ringing through the arena, Boston struck once more. At 9:18, Haley Winn fired a shot from the top of the circle past the goaltender to extend the lead to three, with assists from Daniela Pajšová and Tapani.

From there, the Fleet remained firmly in control for the rest of the game with Frankel anchoring the back end. She turned aside 21 shots to secure yet another shutout—her fifth of the season, setting a new league record for most shutouts in a single year. As the final horn sounded, the familiar chants returned to Tsongas, celebrating both the performance in net and the team in front of her.

Even opponents recognize the challenge she presents. Facing her from the other side for the first time, former Fleet forward Theresa Schafzahl didn’t hold back in her assessment.

"She's incredible,” Schafzahl said. “Even when you feel like there’s a lot of net to shoot at, she always somehow makes the save. I really don't know how she does it, but she's one of the best in the world."

Between the record-setting crowd, the recognition of World Down Syndrome Day, and the continued presence of the game's brightest stars, the matchup showcased what the PWHL continues to build. In a league where high-level competition and community exist side by side, every game is a joy to watch.

Edited by Reese Dlabach