By 10:30 Sunday evening, Game 5 of the PWHL Walter Cup Finals had become the hottest ticket in Boston. Given the ups and downs of the previous four games, it was no surprise.
The wild series between Boston and Minnesota has had everything: scorers getting hot at the right time, a goalie playing out of her mind, and a disallowed goal in double overtime.
“I think we’ve taken the path less traveled all year,” said Boston coach Courtney Kessel on Tuesday.
The series returns to a sold-out Tsongas Center in Lowell Wednesday for a winner-take-all Game 5. Boston and Minnesota have developed a strong rivalry that will last long after this series ends.
Minnesota has the edge when it comes to speed and neutral-zone play. While Boston uses depth to its advantage, Minnesota’s speed can take anyone off guard. Those qualities have shut down Boston’s offense, quite a feat considering Boston saw scoring from all four lines late in the regular season, when it was playing for its playoff life, and in the semifinals against Montreal. Breaking out quickly and setting up longer possessions in Minnesota’s zone will be crucial if Boston is to win the title.
Boston also will need to give its best defensive effort of the season against Minnesota’s top scoring line of Kendall Coyne Schofield, Taylor Heise, and Michela Cava. The trio powered Minnesota’s dominance in Games 2 and 3, and were threatening for much of Sunday’s 1-0 Boston win Game 4. Boston defender Jessica Digirolamo was key to breaking up their scoring touch, and she should again be on the top blue-line pairing Wednesday. The Syracuse product led all defenders with 38:10 of ice time in Game 4.
“It’s really important that we come out fast and physical right off the hop,” said Kessel. “Minnesota’s a team that thrives on transition and they have quick entries. We can’t give them that from the beginning.”
Kessel has shown that she isn’t afraid to change lines, even mid-game, carrying an extra forward to her advantage. But Boston’s forwards need to take more chances at the net. Minnesota has outshot Boston, 114-94, in the series, and when one of the best players the game has ever seen, Hilary Knight, is only attempting three shots in a double-overtime game, it is clear shot production needs to increase. Instead of looking for a fancy pass, Boston’s forwards needs to take the chance.
Both goaltenders, Boston’s Aerin Frankel and Minnesota’s Nicole Hensley, have shined. Frankel’s lightning reflexes allow her to jump on Minnesota’s quick shots, while Hensley’s ability to control rebounds has denied Boston additional chances. Boston prepared to face Maddie Rooney when the series began, but the switch in Game 2 to Hensley, who had regular-season success against Boston, has proven a smart move by Minnesota coach Ken Klee.
Back in January, Boston’s first-ever home game was against Minnesota, and fittingly, Boston’s last home game of their inaugural season will be against the same opponent. A wild crowd attended that first game, and an even wilder one will be there Wednesday.
Many posts on social media Monday and Tuesday proclaimed wishes that the game would be moved to TD Garden to satisfy demand. Some tickets on the resale market are going for nearly $3,000, and the hope is league’s YouTube streaming will eclipse the 25,000 viewers of Sunday’s game.
While it remains to be seen if Boston achieves the ultimate goal, it has raised the visibility and excitement of women’s hockey.
“It’s been a wild ride,” said Knight. “A lot of us will always remember the way that we scratched back and put ourselves in this position.”
Kat Cornetta can be reached at sportsgirlkat@gmail.com.