The Boston Blades go win-less against the Brampton Thunder

While the Boston Blades hopped to come away from this past weekend's set against the Brampton Thunder with a win, there are many positive takeaways from the teams performance.

"We're really coming together as a team," said Blades Assistant Captain Kristina Brown after Sunday's game. "We're starting to do the little things more often."

Captain Tara Watchorn was even more definitive in her sentiments.

"This weekend has been our best two games by far. We're moving the puck better, we just need to finish."

It's hard to argue with Watchorn's remarks. The Blades almost eked out a win on Saturday, despite being outshot. On Sunday, they recorded their highest shot total of the season, 30, thanks largely to a lot of time spent on the power play, but only netted one.

"We got a lot of chances, a lot of rebounds, we went to the net hard, it just didn't go for us today," Watchorn said of Sunday's game.

Watchorn scored her team's only goal in that match up. At the end of a long shift, a stolen puck in the neutral zone and a nice pass from Erin Kickham set the pair up for a two on one. Watchorn looked off Brampton goaltender Liz Knox, as if to pass. Knox took the bait, cheating off the post just enough for Watchorn to snipe the near side corner.

Unfortunately, that goal came just past the halfway point of the second period, and the Blades would be shut out the rest of the game.

That's not to say that the Blades didn't have opportunities. Boston was able to force offensive zone pressure with far more consistency over the weekend than they have in prior games. This was especially true on Sunday, when they found themselves on the power play a lot, particularly in the third period.

"Our power play was generating some good chances, but we're not scoring there," said Blades Head Coach Brian McCloskey after Sunday's game.

The game turned chippy as it went on. Most of it centered around Boston's pressure in front of Knox, with several Thunder players taking penalties to clear the slot, especially following post-whistle digging by Blades forwards.

"At the end of the day, we're all really competitive, so if someone goes near your goalie, you're going to get hit," Watchorn said.

With four more games in a row against Brampton, it'll be interesting to see how this physically will affect this series.

The biggest downside on the weekend were quick transition plays. Five out of the Thunder's six goals were scored on either blocked shot breakaways or Brampton's ability catch Boston on offense and quickly head the other way.

The Blades have an opportunity in the next four games. They this weekend that they can compete with Brampton, now all they have to do is score more frequently.

"We're battling hard and competing and we're right there and making the right plays," said Brown. "Now it's just a matter of getting the puck in the net."