Hensley masterful with 33 saves, PWHL Minnesota takes down Boston

Nicole Hensley was spectacular stopping 33 shots as PWHL Minnesota grabbed the first win in franchise history beating Boston in their season opener.

LOWELL, MA -- Nicole Hensley was ready for this moment.

After being drafted 12th overall in September by Minnesota, the United States national team netminder was more than prepared to open things up at the Tsongas Center on the campus of UMass Lowell.

To put it simply, Hensley was nothing short of incredible. Stopping 33 shots, Hensley was fantastic stopping the strong Boston offensive attack, en route to a 3-2 win over PWHL Boston to get the inaugural season underway.

“Nicole was outstanding, she was calm, cool, and collected,” said Minnesota head coach Ken Klee. “I had a comfortable ability with her, and she did an awesome job tonight.”

Early in the first period, Taylor Heise found the back of the net for the first goal in the history of PWHL Minnesota, with a snipe beating Boston goalie Aerin Frankel.

Just a few minutes after Heise’s tally, Sophia Kunin’s goal made it a 2-0 Minnesota lead. There was no rust on the offensive side of things for Minnesota, as the first two attempted shots resulted in goals.

“We have some amazing forwards on this team, and I think we always want to play from in front,” said Hensley. “To be able to get that lead early and hold it was huge for us.”

Halfway through the second period, Theresa Schafzahl scored the first goal in Boston’s history, igniting the crowd.

“Today was special, it was an incredible moment, and it felt unreal honestly,” said Schafzahl. “I kind of blacked out on the goal so I don’t remember too much of it, but I was trying to get the puck to my stick as soon as possible and put it on net.”

However, the excitement was shut down rather quickly, as a slapshot from University of Minnesota alumni Grace Zumwinkle got past Frankel just seconds later.

Despite the Schafzahl goal, Hensley continued her dominance as the period went on, stopping countless Boston attacks, as well as a wrist-shot from Boston captain Hilary Knight to end the second.

Late in the third, the Boston deficit was cut to just one, as a Megan Keller slapshot alluded Hensley with two minutes remaining.

Despite Boston pulling its goalie, combined with a fierce offensive attack, Hensley and Minnesota were able to hold on, and leave Lowell with the opening victory.

“We came together as a team before the game, and we all knew that today was going to be tough not playing at home,” said Heise. “The fact that we can start somewhere and get better is a very exciting place for us to start, and we are really excited to take that and see how far we can go.”