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.
