For the third time this season, the New York Sirens could not capitalize against the Boston Fleet, dropping the contest 4-0 and extending their losing streak to a season-high, three straight games.
The match opened with an aggressive back-and-forth, with each team finding themselves in the other’s defensive end. Despite ending the period fairly evenly in shots, with Boston edging New York 12-11, the Fleet capped the period with the advantage.
With three seconds left in the first period, Boston center Susanna Tapani deflected right wing Hilary Knight’s shot off the faceoff. It is Tapani’s sixth goal of the season and her first game-winner.
“Looking at the game, as a whole, we did a lot of things we wanted to do in the first period. We got out of our zone really well, we extended them a few times, we were alone on the goalie a handful of times tonight, and we had two on ones… I think the goal at the end of the first took the wind out of our sails a little bit, we didn’t recover really well but I think a lot of the wounds we are facing are self-inflicted,” said Sirens Head Coach Greg Fargo.
While the Sirens would hold the Fleet at 1-0 through the second period, Boston would only lengthen their lead at the bookends of the third period.
Just over three minutes into the period, Boston defender Megan Keller would tally another goal. The final two of the night would come within minutes of each other in the final moments of the game. Left wing Jamie Lee Rattray scored at 13:48 and center Shay Maloney found her way through traffic at 15:45 to seal the Sirens’ fate.
Despite four power play opportunities, the Sirens were unable to find the back of the net, a prevailing issue for them this season.
“I got chances, and I was happy with the way that I played a little bit. At the same time though, I need to put it in the net, and I know it’s going to come, but when you look up and there’s a zero on the scoreboard – we can’t win games with zero goals. No matter how many chances I get, we must find ways to put the puck in the net,” said Sirens forward Elizabeth Giguère.
With the Fleet’s victory, the two teams are now tied for fourth place in the PWHL standings at 20 points each. The teams will face off again twice in the next ten days. At the midpoint of the season, it is crucial for the Sirens to assert themselves offensively.
Despite an offensive onslaught from Boston, New York goaltender Corinne Schroeder recorded 27 saves on 31 shots in the loss, combatting many top net shots and other close efforts.
It is the worst loss in Sirens’ history and their first shutout of the season.
The Sirens look to bounce back this Saturday when they travel to face the Montréal Victoire.
