After facing over 100 shots in her first two playoff games, both overtime odysseys, you’d think Aerin Frankel might be just a little frazzled. But guess again.
The Boston goaltender remains focused on the goal at hand, bringing her team that much closer to a spot in the Professional Women’s Hockey League finals.
The former Northeastern University netminder is fresh off a pair of record-breaking PWHL performances north of the border in the team’s best-of-five semifinal series against Montreal. Boston is now looking to seal the deal at the Tsongas Center in Lowell in Game 3 on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
“You can see that every player is putting everything on the line,” said Frankel. “Obviously, there is a little bit of a rivalry that has built over the year between us and Montreal. I think it goes to show that no one is going to give the other team an inch, because we both want it so badly.”
Frankel originally set a PWHL record with a 53-save performance in a 2-1 overtime victory in Game 1. She shattered that mark on Saturday, saving 57 shots in a 2-1 triple overtime victory in Game 2. She sports a microscopic 0.65 goals against average in postseason play, with a stellar .982 save percentage heading into Game 3.
Despite facing a deluge of shots the past week, the netminder’s focus remains razor sharp.
“I think it’s just a matter of not looking too far ahead,” said Frankel. “You can look at it as a five-game series, or you can take it period by period. That’s what’s helped me stay focused, treating each period as a small game. It’s a lot of hockey, so staying focused and mentally sharp, especially as a goalie is important.”
After enduring a somewhat bumpy regular season run, Boston was on the outside looking in at a possible playoff berth. The team managed to catch their second wind, however, following a league-wide International Break, March 26-April 17.
Frankel was one of seven Boston players who competed in the Women’s World Championship in Utica, N.Y. She, along with team captain Hilary Knight and defenseman Megan Keller, won a silver medal in the tourney representing Team USA.
Meanwhile, the rest of the team bonded over the extended break, attending Boston Celtics, Bruins and Red Sox games.
“It was nice,” said Hannah Brandt. “Everyone got to go home for a few days. When they came back everyone was so energized and happy to be here. I think we got a lot of momentum during that time. We were able to do a lot of fun things, like going to Celtics and Bruins games. We really came together and when the World players came back, we just never looked back.”
Frankel couldn’t help but feel the positive vibes at the rink once she returned.
“I could tell my teammates were excited to get back together,” said Frankel. “That’s what set us apart. Our team is a family and I think they worked extremely hard while the World Championships were going on. The players that were gone were obviously with their respective countries but worked hard as well.”
The team regrouped winning four of its last five regular season games, going from fifth to finishing third overall in the PWHL standings, punching their postseason ticket in the process.
“Everyone did what they had to do to be prepared for this final stretch and I think it showed,” said Frankel.
According to the netminder, playing a part in the PWHL’s inaugural season has been a whirlwind.
“It’s been incredible,” said Frankel. “I find myself looking around the arena sometimes and just being in awe of what this season has been. Even turning on the TV and watching the Toronto series against Minnesota. It just so exciting and so special, and the fact that we’re able to be a part of it in the first year is even more special. We’ll look back on this year and many years to come and reflect on how we’ve gown. There’s still a long way to go, but we will continue.”
