Eldridge Powers Fleet Past Goldeneyes to Cap PWHL Takeover Tour

Jessie Eldridge delivered a spectacular two-goal performance as the Boston Fleet capped off the Professional Womens Hockey Leagues ambitious 16-game Takeover Tour with a commanding 5-1 victory over the Vancouver Goldeneyes on Tuesday night in Edmonton.

The triumph extended Bostons remarkable winning streak to five games while maintaining their pursuit of top spot in the league standings. With a 14-5-2-4 record, the playoff-bound Fleet remain just one point behind Montreal atop the table with five crucial regular season games remaining.

For Vancouver, the defeat marked their third consecutive loss, dropping their record to 7-1-4-14 and effectively ending any remaining postseason aspirations. The Goldeneyes struggled to match Bostons intensity throughout the contest, particularly on special teams where the difference was most apparent.

Fleet captain Megan Keller opened the scoring with a short-handed effort that exemplified her leadership qualities and defensive awareness. The goal highlighted Bostons exceptional penalty killing unit, which ranks first in the PWHL with an impressive 88 percent success rate.

Eldridge struck for her first goal during a power play opportunity, demonstrating the clinical finishing that has made her one of the leagues most dangerous forwards. Her second tally came through individual brilliance, showcasing the skill and determination that have characterized Bostons attacking play throughout their winning run.

Susanna Tapani and Jamie Lee Rattray also found the net for Boston, contributing to what became a comprehensive team performance. The Fleet took control early and never relinquished their advantage, building a commanding 3-0 lead by the end of the second period.

Goaltender Aerin Frankel was exceptional between the pipes for Boston, turning aside 28 Vancouver shots to earn her 17th victory of the season. This win total ties her with Montreals Renee Desbiens for the league lead, highlighting the crucial role goaltending has played in both teams success this season.

Frankels performance was particularly impressive given the pressure Vancouver applied throughout the game. The Goldeneyes managed five power play opportunities but were completely stifled by Bostons relentless penalty killing effort, failing to convert any of their chances.

Vancouvers lone bright moment came early in the third period when Sophie Jaques broke through for their only goal of the evening. However, by that point, the outcome was already decided, with Boston firmly in control of proceedings.

The goaltending situation proved problematic for Vancouver, as starting netminder Emerance Maschmeyer struggled significantly. She allowed all five Boston goals on just 23 shots over two periods before being replaced by Kristen Campbell, who stopped all six shots she faced in the third period.

The neutral site game in Edmonton drew 10,794 fans to Rogers Place, marking the third time the PWHL has brought hockey to the Alberta capital. This attendance figure, while respectable, fell short of the spectacular 17,518 fans who attended the first Takeover game last season, though it exceeded the 10,264 who attended in December.

The continued presence of PWHL games in Edmonton has fueled speculation about potential league expansion, with the city emerging as a logical candidate for a new franchise given the strong fan support and excellent facilities available.

Boston now turns its attention to a crucial Saturday matchup against league-leading Montreal, a game that could have significant implications for final playoff positioning. The Fleet will be looking to maintain their exceptional form and potentially close the gap at the top of the standings.

Meanwhile, Vancouver will attempt to halt their losing streak when they host Seattle next Tuesday. The Goldeneyes need to rediscover their early season form if they hope to finish the campaign on a positive note.

The victory serves as the perfect conclusion to the PWHLs Takeover Tour, a innovative initiative designed to bring womens professional hockey to new markets across North America. For Boston, it represents another step toward their ultimate goal of capturing the leagues championship in what has been an outstanding season.