Shay Maloney scored in overtime to give the Boston Fleet a 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Goldeneyes on Monday night at Pacific Coliseum. The win extends Boston's grip on first place in PWHL standings.
The Fleet improved to 13-2 on the season with 37 points, nine ahead of third-place Minnesota Frost. Vancouver fell to 6-9 with the loss, sitting seventh in the eight-team league with 20 points through 18 games.
Maloney, a forward with four points in 17 games this season, picked the right moment to make her mark. Her overtime winner came on the road against a Goldeneyes team that had carried play for stretches of the game.
Kristen Campbell got the start in net for Vancouver and kept her team in the contest. The Goldeneyes managed to force overtime despite being outmatched on the scoreboard for most of regulation.
Boston's depth continues to be the difference. Alina Muller leads the Fleet with 16 points in 24 games this season, while Susanna Tapani has 18 points in 30 games across all play. On the blue line, Megan Keller has added 15 points in 24 games.
Aerin Frankel was strong again between the pipes for Boston. The Fleet netminder carries a .949 save percentage and 1.28 goals-against average through 16 games in Season 3, with four shutouts.
Vancouver got solid production from their top forwards this season. Tereza Vanisova leads the club with 15 goals, while Hannah Miller paces the team with 24 points. Sarah Nurse has 23 points in 24 games.
The Goldeneyes, despite the loss, remain within striking distance of the playoff picture with 12 games remaining in the regular season. Head coach and the team are focused on stringing wins together down the stretch.
Boston heads to Seattle next to face the Torrent on March 11. Vancouver hosts Minnesota on March 21 at Pacific Coliseum.