When the Boston Fleet acquired Jessie Eldridge, they hoped she'd provide a new layer of offense for the team. Eldridge has provided everything Boston needed and wanted...and more.
When Jessie Eldridge arrived in Boston via trade, the Fleet hoped she'd be an offensive boost. Boston was finding themselves stuck in too many low scoring games, and following the injury to Zoe Boyd, they also found themselves playing in their own zone more often than before.
It's why general manager Danielle Marmer pulled the trigger on a deal to acquire Eldridge, known as an offensive specialist, in exchange for two-way possession player Theresa Schafzahl. Schafzahl made her presence known immediately in Seattle.
In Boston, Jessie Eldridge has started to give Boston exactly what they hoped she would...and more.
After scoring seven goals in 19 games to start the season with Seattle, Eldridge has six goals in her first nine games with the Fleet.
It took Eldridge three games to record her first point for Boston, acclimatizing to new systems and linemates. Once she struck however, Eldridge has been dangerous. She has six goals and seven points in her last six games, including a pair of multi-goal games.
The difference for the low scoring Boston Fleet has been noticeable.
In Boston's first 19 games of the season, the most goals Boston had scored in a game was four, a mark they hit three times. Since Eldridge's arrival, Boston has scored four goals or more, including a 5-1 win over Vancouver, three times in nine games.
Through nine games, Eldridge's six goals already has her sitting third among Fleet players in goals scored in a Boston uniform this season. Only Susanna Tapani (9) and Megan Keller (7) have more. Abby Newhook also has six, but in 27 games compared to Eldridge's nine.
While the playoffs are often defined by low scoring, defensive games and goaltending duels, the ability to have an elite goal scorer like Eldridge on the ice is an asset the Fleet will be happy to wield in the postseason.