LOWELL – Boston made women’s hockey history on Wednesday, but Minnesota’s Taylor Heise stole the show.
The PWHL’s top overall draft pick scored the opening goal on the first shot of the game, as the Boston franchise of the Professional Women’s Hockey League dropped the puck on its inaugural season, with a 3-2 loss to Minnesota, at Tsongas Center.
A first-of-its-kind women’s hockey league that brings together the best players in the world, Wednesday’s PHWL game was the first to feature two American teams going head-to-head, in front of an amped up crowd of 4,012 in attendance.
“It feels magical and surreal at the same time,” said Boston team captain Hilary Knight. “Understanding how important visibility is, it’s a fantastic time to have a professional league. And to be to be a part of the first few shifts, you really can’t put it into words. It’s so well overdue and so exciting for where it’s going.”
Playing its first of a 24-game regular season slate, Boston endured some opening night jitters, with Minnesota scoring off the first two shots of the game.
The PWHL’s top draft pick, Taylor Heise gave the visitors an early lift.
The Lake City, Minesota resident powered down the right lane, making her first PWHL shot a big one, beating goalie Aerin Frankel top corner stick side for her first goal at 5:12. And when Sophia Kunin crashed the net scoring Minnesota’s second tally off a feed from Brittyn Fleming less than four minutes later, Boston found itself in an early 2-0 hole.
Alina Müller showed plenty of pushback for Boston. Northeastern University’s all-time leading scorer was an offensive sparkplug on the powerplay, deflecting a Sidney Morin shot that was stopped by Minnesota netminder Nicole Hensley.
Centering the team’s top line flanked by team captain Hilary Knight and Loren Gabel, the slick-skating Müller continued to create havoc in the offense zone, embarking on a pair of big rushes in the closing minutes of the period. Boston outshot Minnesota 8-7 in the first period.
Boston killed off first its penalty early in the second period, as they continued to plot its comeback.
Theresa Schafzahl brought the home crowd to their feet scoring Boston’s first goal midway through the second period. Gloving a high rebound of a Jamie Lee Rattray blast, Schafzahl left little doubt firing a point-blank wrister past Nicole Hensley, cutting the lead to 2-1 at 7:59. Defenseman Sophie Shirley picked up the other assist.
“Honestly, I kind of blacked out a little so I don’t remember it that well,” said Schafzahl. “I just saw videos. I think Ratty shot it and the puck went up in the air. I was just looking for it. I gloved it down and was just trying to get it to my stick as soon as possible. I just put it on net. I feel like at that point in the game we just needed to get more shots on. I didn’t want to pass up that opportunity. So I put it on net and thankfully it went in.”
Minnesota was quick to respond, however, as Grace Zumwinkle scored less than a minute later, off a Mellissa Channell feed, to retain the two-goal cushion at 3-1.
Boston attempted to climb back in the closing moments of the second period. Defenseman Emily Brown unleashed a blistering blueline blast but was denied by a snapping glove save from Hensley in the closing seconds. Boston maintained the 18-15 shots advantage entering the second intermission.
Müller tried to spark the team driving to the net with what appeared to be a goal 30 seconds into the third, but the tally was waived off. Hannah Brandt was also turned away on a nifty wraparound attempt in the early moments of the period.
Hensley hung tough as Boston applied ample pressure in the third period, striking the post twice midway through the stanza. The netminder remained on guard during a Boston powerplay midway through the stanza.
Boston alternate captain Meghan Keller made things interesting, scoring a powerplay goal rocket from the blueline 2:40 left in regulation for the 3-2 final. Boston outshot its opponent 37-19.
Knight was encouraged by her team’s resiliency in the late stages, backed by the raucous crowd behind them.
“Every time we step out onto the ice we’re representing the city and the sports legacy,” said Knight. “Its tough to claw your way out of a 2-0 deficit, but I was really encouraged by the way we battled and fought. I think if we could string together those three minutes a little bit longer, or earlier in the game that would have helped us a lot. But it just goes to show that we’re part of this legacy that never dies, never quits, always fights to the end. We’re obviously going to give the fans a good game They’re here to watch us perform and we’re going to do that.”
Former Boston Bruins team captain Patrice Bergeron dropped puck in the ceremonial faceoff to open the season, accompanied by three of his four his children, Zach, 8, Victoria, 6, and Noah, 5.
“I’m honored to be a part of this,” said Bergeron, between periods. “It’s exciting. It’s a long time coming for women’s hockey. It’s pretty special. I wish them all the best.”
Bergeron met with the team briefly on Tuesday to announce the team captains, and couldn’t help but feel the enthusiasm in the room.
“You can tell what it means to all of them, and how special this is,” he said. “I’m impressed with how great they look out there, how fast the pace is. I’m also glad to see the amount of people here (tonight). Hopefully it’s going to be better.”
According to Bergeron, his daughter skates, but doesn’t play hockey. She still wanted to attend the game to take in the game to witness hockey history,
“She was excited to come just because the fact that it’s all women,” said Bergeron. “Even my son was saying how great this is. He has some girls on his mites team. He said ‘if they do want to play there’s hope. They can dream.’ I think that was cool for him to say. The impact is greater than what the players may think. Its historical and I’m glad to be a very small bit of it tonight.”