Stanley Cup of Chowder: All Posts by Nathan VaughanDavid Pastrnak is legend.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/11233/stanley-fave.jpg2024-03-21T09:00:00-04:00https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/authors/nathan-vaughan/rss2024-03-21T09:00:00-04:002024-03-21T09:00:00-04:00Women’s Recap: Smoldering seats and ticking clocks, Boston falls apart in Toronto falls 2-1.
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<img alt="Hockey: PWHL-Boston at Montreal" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ydTHsHZcdkwYjD69AG2Sz_FIHYc=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73222865/usa_today_22284938.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>This was a winnable game and they had the three points in hand but were unable to get any in the end.</p> <p id="Ng3YLV">Once again Boston was unable to play a full 60 minute game. They led 1-0 after two periods but the wheels were already coming off and they came all the way off quickly in the final frame. Toronto tied the game in the third minute of the third period on their third power play and controlled the game from there netting the winner on the PP about five minutes later. Boston had a few opportunities to tie it up but were unable to sustain much pressure.</p>
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<h2 id="RSA10c">Game Notes</h2>
<ul>
<li id="BWlCpY">The zero points might prove disastrous for Boston as Ottawa ran away against New York to take the full three points and move back into the final playoff spot with a two point cushion.</li>
<li id="QNkkSf">Shot tallies were low on the back ups but through 40 only Howe had been beaten, but she was able to recover and prevented Boston’s anemic offense from getting another point.</li>
<li id="fIKhjG">Sidney Morin tallied her first goal in the first period to give Boston the early lead they were unable to hold on to.</li>
<li id="rj3cxz">There are only six games left and now every point is going to count. Questions have to be starting to rise about the temperature of Coach Kessel’s seat.</li>
<li id="6bgkQw">The loss puts Boston in a precarious position just before the international break. They will have one more game before the time off as they head to the Islanders rink to play New York next Monday.</li>
</ul>
https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2024/3/21/24107342/womens-recap-smoldering-seats-and-ticking-clocks-boston-falls-apart-in-toronto-falls-2-1Nathan Vaughan2024-03-20T17:00:00-04:002024-03-20T17:00:00-04:00Women’s Public Skate: Boston @ Toronto
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<img alt="Hockey: PWHL-New York at Toronto" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/rZQs8G07_Nj5hsZCRMXMg_t3in8=/0x0:3415x2277/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73221753/usa_today_22205546.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Last trip to Toronto, Boston has lost their margin for error.</p> <p id="ZvlOVB">After salvaging a point in Detroit Boston now heads to the hottest team in the league as they take on a Toronto team that has made everyone look silly of late.</p>
https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2024/3/20/24106403/womens-public-skate-boston-torontoNathan Vaughan2024-03-20T09:00:00-04:002024-03-20T09:00:00-04:00Women’s Preview: Divergent courses
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<img alt="PWHL - Toronto v Montreal" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7bc7EJ0ekN9K7VnuxNb4FboGBOY=/89x0:2912x1882/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73220137/2084802558.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>These two teams have been heading in opposite directions for weeks now.</p> <p id="52jiLy"><strong>Just the facts</strong></p>
<p id="HPTq44"><strong>When:</strong> Today, 7:00 PM</p>
<p id="cDedfK"><strong>Where:</strong> Mattamy Athletic Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada</p>
<p id="qMU6Uy"><strong>How to follow:</strong> NESN, NESN 360, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thepwhlofficial">PWHL YouTube</a> (Out of Market)</p>
<p id="f2Mkyd"><strong>Game notes</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="H2ENff">This is the last trip to the MAC for Boston, they will have one more Ontario visit later though.</li>
<li id="expEYY">This is the fourth meeting between the teams and like all three previous editions it is on a Wednesday.</li>
<li id="tjyy78">The seat did not really cool much for Coach Kessel after escaping with a shootout win over fellow playoff dreamer Ottawa.</li>
<li id="g3n0Dy">Boston won their first meeting at the MAC and has lost the last two, a home and a road game in there as Toronto has been on fire.</li>
<li id="ShqifI">With both teams having traveled this past weekend and run their starting goalies out for almost every game recently. You have to wonder if one or both of Aerin Frankel and Kristen Campbell will get a night off.</li>
<li id="mYqeVw">Toronto is tied atop the standings but has a game in hand, this game, over Montreal while Boston clings to the last playoff spot for dear life as they lead Ottawa by a single point.</li>
</ul>
<p id="Qdwaic"></p>
https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2024/3/20/24106392/womens-preview-divergent-coursesNathan Vaughan2024-03-17T09:30:00-04:002024-03-17T09:30:00-04:00Women’s Recap: Neutral ice, sweet neutral ice. Boston escapes Detroit beating Ottawa 2-1 in a shootout.
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<img alt="PWHL - Boston v Montreal" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fo3h1Ykg185duDVhIMSXR8xTPOw=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213064/1923327944.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>In a game they couldn’t lose, they didn’t even if they only took one point extra over Ottawa.</p> <p id="Ng3YLV">Another close call, this time it went the way of Boston. In front of a record setting American crowd with Boston technically being the home team, Boston scored first but couldn’t hold on to a regulation victory. Instead both teams had opportunities in the overtime but were left off the books forcing a shootout.</p>
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<h2 id="RSA10c">Game Notes</h2>
<ul>
<li id="BWlCpY">The extra point puts Boston back ahead of Ottawa into 4th place, the last playoff spot.</li>
<li id="QNkkSf">Both teams forced the goalies to make 25 saves but Boston’s defense was once again out of sorts.The team is heavily relying on Frankel right now , which Knight mentioned in her post game interview.</li>
<li id="fIKhjG">Knight had the lone goal for Boston and one of the shootout tallies. She is seeming to have more good games of late, which this team is in desperate need of.</li>
<li id="6bgkQw">Knight said it best in her post game interview, Frankel has kept this team win a lot of games, especially a few they didn’t deserve to be in, today was no different. Once again Frankel stood on her head and held the opponents to only one goal and was a a wall in the shootout.</li>
<li id="w7X7rG">Boston travels to red hot Toronto on Wednesday knight.</li>
</ul>
https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2024/3/17/24103525/womens-recap-neutral-ice-sweet-neutral-ice-boston-escapes-detroit-beating-ottawa-2-1-in-a-shootoutNathan Vaughan2024-03-16T16:00:00-04:002024-03-16T16:00:00-04:00Women’s Public Skate: Boston v Ottawa
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<img alt="PWHL Boston..." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lQNPqH2rqfupt9bc8hqHZ9UFUvs=/0x0:2700x1800/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73212138/2023096247.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>In a must win game Boston heads to neutral turf as the PWHL takes over Detroit.</p> <p id="ZvlOVB">Neutral ice might be just what a free falling Boston team needs. No pressures of home, no disadvantage of the road. In a must win game if Boston isn’t tanking early for the draft picks we shall see if they can turn the season around.</p>
https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2024/3/16/24103271/womens-public-skate-boston-v-ottawaNathan Vaughan2024-03-16T15:00:00-04:002024-03-16T15:00:00-04:00Women’s Preview: Put up or shut up
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<img alt="PWHL - Boston v Ottawa" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/sNiVd79c7WJUiIGavgM8oH_Kpzg=/147x0:3437x2193/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73212046/1965672178.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Troy Parla/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>With time running our Boston needs to figure it out</p> <p id="52jiLy"><strong>Just the facts</strong></p>
<p id="HPTq44"><strong>When:</strong> Today, 6:00 PM</p>
<p id="cDedfK"><strong>Where:</strong> Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI</p>
<p id="qMU6Uy"><strong>How to follow:</strong> NESN, NESN 360, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thepwhlofficial">PWHL YouTube</a> (Out of Market)</p>
<p id="f2Mkyd"><strong>Game notes</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="H2ENff">This is the first of two takeover games games for the league as Toronto and Montreal head to Pittsburgh tomorrow.</li>
<li id="expEYY">Boston is technically the home game in this, losing a game at Tsongas, though with the quality of their play there this year, that is a blessing.</li>
<li id="tjyy78">Questions are growing on the decisions being made at the top for Boston. Today is a must win and Kessel has little room for error.</li>
<li id="g3n0Dy">Ottawa and Boston have met three times, once in Ottawa and twice in Lowell. All three games have ended in regulation with each team winning a game on the road, Boston took the rubber match in Lowell.</li>
<li id="ShqifI">Frankel should get the go tonight but you wonder if Kessel is on a short trigger because she feels her seat heating up.</li>
<li id="mYqeVw">Boston is tied with Ottawa for the last playoff spot. They are three points up on New York for the last spot, all three are equal on 16 games.</li>
</ul>
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https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2024/3/16/24103279/womens-preview-put-up-or-shut-upNathan Vaughan2024-03-10T13:00:00-04:002024-03-10T13:00:00-04:00Women’s Public Skate: Boston v New York
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<img alt="PWHL - Montreal v New York" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Ek4Q-7a3en5S4l5BFFFBo2ubeoU=/136x0:4216x2720/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73196173/2056362824.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Something’s gotta give. Both of these teams are mired at the bottom of the table trying to get that last playoff berth.</p> <p id="ZvlOVB">Boston is struggling but a home date against fellow struggle bus member New York might be their ticket off. Lots of familiar faces on the other bench should be a testy affair.</p>
https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2024/3/10/24096334/womens-public-skate-boston-v-new-yorkNathan Vaughan2024-03-06T17:00:00-05:002024-03-06T17:00:00-05:00Women’s Public Skate: Boston @ Toronto
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<img alt="HOCKEY: MAR 02 PWHL Toronto at Ottawa" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VGX5P506kI2tozV9A5bdyMmiAww=/0x0:5464x3643/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73187500/2046562489.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>These two teams are headed in opposite directions but both are loaded with talent.</p> <p id="ZvlOVB">Boston is still in control of their playoff dreams and have easy access as high as the second spot. Tonight will be a critical game to see if they can overcome the hottest team in the league who is just ahead of them in the standings.</p>
https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2024/3/6/24092292/womens-public-skate-boston-torontoNathan Vaughan2024-03-06T12:00:00-05:002024-03-06T12:00:00-05:00Women’s Preview: Streak busting
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<img alt="Hockey: PWHL-New York at Toronto" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ne6xHtvuM7K19SscQbfOQN2HEh8=/0x0:3435x2290/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73186493/usa_today_22205610.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Time to see the battle of divergent teams, one that is pretty cold the other as hot as the league has ever seen.</p> <p id="52jiLy"><strong>Just the facts</strong></p>
<p id="HPTq44"><strong>When:</strong> Today, 7:00 PM</p>
<p id="lCqvZS"><strong>Where:</strong> Mattamy Athletic Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada</p>
<p id="qMU6Uy"><strong>How to follow:</strong> NESN, NESN 360, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thepwhlofficial">PWHL YouTube</a> (Out of Market)</p>
<p id="f2Mkyd"><strong>Game notes</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="H2ENff">This will be the second trip to Toronto, the first time out Boston took all three points, their first regulation win in franchise history.</li>
<li id="expEYY">Historically Boston has been a good road team but ion their last trip to Montreal they suffered their first ever regulation road loss.</li>
<li id="tjyy78">We thought that Coach Kessel had the lines figured out but after the Montreal game with another sputtering start questions are raised. Boston is running out of room to find the magic mix so every game it doesn’t raises concern levels.</li>
<li id="g3n0Dy">Last time these two teams met Toronto came to Lowell and lit up Emma Soderberg for four goals on only 17 shots, en route to a 5-3 victory. Natalie Spooner had a hat trick, and Toronto jumped out to a 3-0 lead and would never lead by less then two goals.</li>
<li id="ShqifI">Pretty sure Frankel plays until she has a horrendous game, or is hurt again. She has been one of the few consistent performers for Boston and Kessel seems willing to ride her to try and salvage a playoff berth.</li>
<li id="mYqeVw">Boston is six points behind the streaking Toronto team, but has a game in hand. If Boston wins tonight they will have the game in hand to tie Toronto and at this point would have the tie breaker for third. Boston also is down only 9 points on second place Minnesota but has three games in hand against them, and has the points lead on Minnesota 5-4.</li>
</ul>
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https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2024/3/6/24092193/womens-preview-streak-bustingNathan Vaughan2024-02-25T20:36:05-05:002024-02-25T20:36:05-05:00Women’s Recap: Holy Frankel! Boston shuts out Minnesota 2-0
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5dcF_JJ26Gf5r-rBHjbWkE25WeU=/0x0:3968x2645/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73164247/CREDIT_PWHL_MINvsBOS_Feb25_24_006.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kelly Hagenson/PWHL</figcaption>
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<p>In a homecoming for many players Boston stepped up.</p> <p id="Ng3YLV">Boston will take a regulation anyway they can get it. They will especially take a game where their goalie stands on her head and gets her first shutout of the year. While the offense was mostly stymied by Nicole Hensley, Susanna Tapani was able to set up Theresa Schafzahl. Gigi Marvin added an empty netter to seal the game.</p>
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<h2 id="RSA10c">Game Notes</h2>
<ul>
<li id="BWlCpY">Winning again in regulation has Boston up to 18 points and fourth in the standings, with a game in hand with first and second place.</li>
<li id="QNkkSf">This was a rough game for the defense allowing 41 shots to go on Frankel but they did enough to prevent and easy scoring opportunities and allowed Frankel to do what she had to to preserve the shutout.</li>
<li id="fIKhjG">Tapani had the primary assist on the game winner against her former team. Right now she is showing why Boston wanted to obtain her quit clearly.</li>
<li id="6bgkQw">Frankel has now started in net for four consecutive games. At this point with how well she has played of late you would think Kessel will ride her until she shows some slippage before giving Soderstrom another go.</li>
<li id="1zHi6d">It was a homecoming for two other key producers besides Tapani as Gigi Marvin a local hero was the one who iced the game, while Frankel attended high school in the state at vaunted Shattucks-St. Mary’s</li>
<li id="w7X7rG">Boston stays on the road next Saturday as they head up to Montreal.</li>
</ul>
https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2024/2/25/24083198/womens-recap-holy-frankel-boston-shuts-out-minnesota-2-0Nathan Vaughan