All things seem to be pointing in the right direction for PWHL Boston. After two overtime thrillers, Boston carries a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series against Montréal.
PWHL Boston will be getting a massive boost for what could be the deciding game as forward Jamie Lee Rattray returns from an injury sustained in the final game of the regular season.
“[Rattray] will be in,” said PWHL Boston head coach Courtney Kessel in Monday’s media availability.
Kessel also confirmed that Lexie Adzija will also be available for tomorrow’s game. Adzija picked up a match penalty in Saturday’s game following a hit to the head of Montréal’s Laura Stacey early in the first overtime period.
After Saturday’s contest went deep into a third overtime period, Kessel stated the importance of lineup depth in playoff hockey.
“All year we’ve put our fourth line on the ice,” said Kessel. “If you just rely on your top two lines, I don’t think you can win a championship. I don’t think you’ve ever seen an NHL team win the Stanley Cup by only playing two lines. The teams that win Stanley Cups, it comes from their depth and I think we saw that from our team.”
After the two longest games in the PWHL’s short history, Boston netminder Aerin Frankel does not see the lack of rest as being a factor in the long run.
“We’ve prepared for it all year long,” said Frankel. “A lot of times, adrenaline and excitement takes over when your legs are a little bit tired and heavy. I think we’re prepared for this and we’ve shown that we’re willing to go the lengths necessary to get the win.”
In taking a 2-0 series lead, Boston has captured home ice advantage, with game three and a potential game four to be played at Tsongas Center. Kessel expects Boston’s fans to show out in force for their playoff matchups.
“We’ve built this fanbase,” said Kessel. “It’s just gotten bigger and bigger since game one. They’re cheering for Boston. The fans have done a tremendous job of getting on board. I think its come a long way since game one. [The Tsongas Center] feels like home now.”
PWHL Boston will take on PWHL Montréal in game three of the PWHL semi-final series at the Tsongas Center at 7:00 PM Tuesday night. Boston leads the series 2-0. The game can be watched on NESN or on the PWHL YouTube channel.
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