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Taylor Wenczkowski will certainly remember her first goal.
The checking line forward netted the game-winner in triple overtime, as Boston defeated Montreal, 2-1, in a Professional Women’s Hockey League semifinal game Saturday night at Place Bell. Game 2 was played in front of a packed house of 10,172.
Boston leads the best-of-five semifinal series 2-0, with a chance to complete the sweep Tuesday night at the Tsongas Center in Lowell at 7 p.m.
“I’m just so pumped to go back to Boston with two wins,” said Wenczkowski. “It’s what we needed so I’m really excited.”
Boston goalie Aerin Frankel was again fantastic. The former Northeastern netminder originally set a PWHL record with her 53-save performance in Game 1. She shattered that mark in saving 57 in Game 2, none came bigger than a stunning left pad save off Sarah Lefort from point-blank range in the closing moments of the third, forcing the extra session.
Boston opened the series with a dramatic 2-1 overtime victory against Montreal on Thursday. Susanna Tapani was the OT hero in that affair, netting the winning tally at 14:25 of the extra frame.
Saturday night was Wenczkowski’s time to shine, as the Boston forward scored in front of the net at 11:44 of the third OT session against a determined Montreal squad.
“They’re a really good team,” said Wenczkowski. “They’re physical. I think we match up well against them, but it’s definitely a new rivalry in women’s hockey. It’s been a lot of fun so far. Hopefully the next one we keep it to three periods.”
Amanda Pelkey continued her puck luck against Montreal. Boston’s checking line forward scored the go-ahead goal early in the first period. Working from behind the net, the Vermont native pounced on a Montreal turnover. Taking the puck off an attempted clear by Catherine Daoust, Pelkey banked a shot in off Montreal goalie Ann-Renée Desbiens’ left pad for the goal at 6:48.
Known primarily for her hustle and grit, Pelkey is no stranger to potting big goals against Montreal. Her lone regular season goal came against the Canadian team, scoring a shorthanded game-winner in a 3-2 overtime victory, Jan. 13.
The fast start was a refreshing change of pace for Boston, which struggled to find its offensive footing over the first two periods in Game 1.
“I think the whole team just tries to build off momentum, whether it’s a little play or a goal,” said Pelkey, between periods. “We wanted to come out strong because the last game we were a little flat-footed. So that was our goal.”
Boston came out firing, outshooting Montreal 10-5 in the opening period, while holding a decided 10-1 edge after scoring the first goal of the game this season.
But Montreal wasn’t going down without a fight. The Canadian club battled back scoring on the powerplay to open the second period. Kristin O’Neill did the damage. Camped in front of the net, the forward swatted in a rebound of a Maureen Murphy drive at 1:59.
Montreal carried the play for much of the middle stanza, outshooting Boston 15-12. They continued to gather third period steam outshooting their opponents 11-4, but deadlocked at 1-1.
Desbiens was impressive in making 50 saves for Montreal, which held a 36-21 shots advantage heading into OT.
Boston forward Lexie Adzija was ejected from the game after being assessed a major penalty and game misconduct for a hit to the head on Laura Stacey with 13:40 left in the first OT extra session. Her team managed to kill off the major, despite facing ample pressure.
A man stole financial documents and credit cards from an elderly person’s apartment in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood Tuesday, police said as they asked for the public’s help identifying the burglary suspect.
Boston police say the incident occurred between 1:15 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the area of 11 Woodcliff Street, the Cardinal Medeiros Manor Apartments.
According to police, the suspect allegedly entered the victim’s apartment, which is located in an elderly housing community, and convinced them to turn over financial documents before stealing several personal documents and credit cards.
The suspect is described as a man wearing glasses with a red shirt and black pants. He also had a lanyard around his neck, a tattoo on his right arm, and a brown backpack, police said.
An investigation into the incident is underway, and anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 617-343-4275. Anonymous tips can also be called into the CrimeStoppers tip line at 1-800-494-TIPS, or texted to CRIME (27463) with the word ‘TIP’.
Boston police are looking for a man they say inappropriately touched several students at a small high school near Copley Square.
Officers responded around 11:30 a.m. to the Snowden International School on Newbury Street in Back Bay after reports that the man had touched students as they were walking in and out of the building.
“That’s scary, that it’s happening right here,” one woman said.
According to a police report, the man had been seen in the area before, approaching two students. Documents state at one point, a student stated the man “touched his chest and asked, ‘Yo bro, do you work out?’”
Police said photos of the man were captured and sent out to other law enforcement officials.
The department said in a statement that it is “encouraging families to remind students about the importance of being aware of their surroundings and reporting any concerning behavior to their school.”
Boston Public Schools will have an increased Safety Services presence around the campus for the next few days.
Local News
A Boston man who allegedly assaulted a transgender woman at a Blue Line MBTA station on Halloween is facing charges of assault and violating the victim’s civil rights, officials said.
Gregory Burnett, 53, pleaded not guilty to assault and battery causing serious bodily injury, assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (his foot), and a civil rights violation with injury, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said.
The woman, 41, told police that another passenger boarded the train at Maverick, immediately approached her, and shouted “derogatory terms” at her, the DA said. Burnett allegedly said statements including “you’re not a woman, you’re a man.”
Burnett then punched and kicked her, including in the crotch area. The woman tried to defend herself, the DA said, but Burnett grabbed her foot and caused her to fall and fracture her wrist.
Other passengers helped the woman defend herself against Burnett and get him off the train, officials said.
The woman reported the incident to police the next day and said “she felt targeted due to her gender identity based on Burnett’s remarks during the assault,” the DA said.
MBTA police used witness descriptions and surveillance video to identify Burnett and apprehend him at Maverick last Tuesday, according to Hayden’s office.
Burnett was initially held in jail after being found dangerous in court, but was released last week on conditions to stay at home outside of work hours, according to court records. With a GPS, he is confined to his home outside of 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. He is also required to maintain employment, stay away from any witnesses, not commit any further offenses, and not possess any firearms.
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