Friday, January 31, 2025 | 7:00 p.m. ET | The Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell
WATCH LIVE: NESN, MSG/MSGHD, TSN 3, TSN.ca, TSN App, PWHL YouTube & thepwhl.com (U.S. / International)
Jamie Hersch (Play-by-Play), Gigi Marvin (Analyst), Natalie Noury (Reporter)
NEW YORK SIRENS
4-3-1-4 | 19 PTS | 3RD PLACE
Top Scorer: Sarah Fillier – 12 GP, 5-8-13 PTS
Last Game: 3-0 W at OTT on Jan. 27
BOSTON FLEET
3-2-2-5 | 15 PTS | 6TH PLACE
Top Scorer: Hilary Knight – 12 GP, 5-5-10 PTS
Last Game: 5-2 L at MIN on Jan. 26
2024-25 SEASON SERIES: BOSTON LEADS 3-0 IN POINTS (NEW YORK WON 9-6 IN 2024)
Dec. 8 at BOS: 4-2 BOS | Jan. 31 at BOS | Feb. 12 at NY | Feb. 17 at NY | Feb. 23 at NY (BUFFALO) | Mar. 5 at BOS
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
These teams have met just once this season (a 4-2 Boston win on Dec. 8) but will face each other five times in each of their next nine games. New York won three of the five games between the teams last season, with four of those games decided by one goal, and two of those decided in overtime.
The Sirens beat the Charge, 3-0, in Ottawa on Monday, their third shutout of the season, two of which have come on the road (5-0 at Minnesota on Jan. 4). The rest of the league has combined for one shutout (by Ottawa, at Minnesota on Jan. 21). New York had one shutout all of last season (4-0 at Toronto in the PWHL’s inaugural game).
Jessie Eldridge had a goal and an assist on Monday, giving her seven points (3G, 4A) in her last six games. It was her third game this season with at least one goal and one assist, tied for the most such games by any PWHL player this season with Hannah Miller (TOR).
Alex Carpenter returns to her home state, looking to lengthen her point streak to three games after scoring her first goal in five games against the Charge. The North Reading native has recorded a point in all four career games in Boston (1G, 3A).
Carpenter (5G, 4A) and Sarah Fillier (3G, 6A) have each recorded a point in all six Sirens road games this season.
All four of the Sirens’ regulation wins this season have been by multiple goals, tied for the most such wins in the PWHL this season. New York had three multi-goal wins last season. Boston has two such wins (only Ottawa has fewer – 1), but one of those came against New York.
The Fleet have won their last four games as the home team including three straight at the Tsongas Center.
Boston fell to Minnesota, 5-2, on the road on Sunday. The Fleet are allowing an average of 3.14 goals per game on the road this season with a 0-1-2-4 record, but just 1.75 goals per game at the Tsongas Center (3-0-0-1 record). They also had a 3-2 shootout win as the designated home team in a game at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.
Hilary Knight scored one of Boston’s goals on Sunday and assisted on the other, giving her five goals and five assists in her 12 games this season. She has nearly matched her total output from 24 games last season (six goals, five assists). The Fleet captain totaled one assist in five games against New York last season – she had an assist in their only meeting this season.
This is the first meeting since the teams traded forwards on Jan. 21. Jill Saulnier, originally a seventh-round pick by New York, and Taylor Girard, a ninth-round pick in the inaugural draft by Boston, will face their former teams.
Following today’s game, six Fleet players will prepare for the final two games of the Rivalry Series including Team USA’s Knight, Sydney Bard, Hannah Bilka, Aerin Frankel and Megan Keller, and Canada’s Jamie Lee Rattray. Bard will be making her U.S. Women’s National Team debut.
Five Fleet players will head overseas during the International Break including Daniela Pejšová and Klára Peslarová who will represent host Czechia in the Women’s Euro Hockey Tour. Alina Müller will represent Switzerland in the same event that also includes Finland. Theresa Schafzahl will play for Austria in Olympic qualifying competition against Germany, Hungary and Slovakia. Emma Söderberg will play for Sweden in Olympic qualifying against Denmark, Netherlands and Norway.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“Boston will always be special but I’m extremely excited to hit the ice with a new purpose and make some noise with the Sirens!” - Sirens forward Taylor Girard.
"We didn’t get the result we wanted on the road, but tonight we’re focused on playing our game at home. It’s about coming out strong, staying disciplined, and getting back on track." - Fleet Head Coach Courtney Kessel.
FRIDAY’S GAME: Tonight’s matchup at the Tsongas Center is sponsored by Woody Creek Distillers, with a pre-game giveaway of customized bracelets and cowbells. Prior to the National Anthem, there will be a moment of silence to honor the memory of the athletes, coaches and family members from the Skating Club of Boston and all those who tragically lost their lives in the mid-air collision above Washington, DC on Wednesday, Jan. 29. Throughout the game there will be two intermission skates with South Boston Youth Hockey and Cape Ann Youth Hockey. Along the concourse, representatives from Big Brothers Big Sisters and CCM will have tables for fan interaction.