The Boston Fleet dominated the Toronto Sceptres on Saturday April 26th in Lowell. Peslarova got her first career start and recorded her first career PWHL shutout. Boston secured a three-to-zero win. With the Fleet’s win,  the New York Sirens were eliminated from the playoffs. The Sceptres were also unable to secure the one-point they needed to clinch a playoff spot, which means the Victoire remain the only team to have officially secured a spot in the 2024-25 playoffs. 

This win also moved the Fleet to third place in the six team league. That means they only need four more points in their next two games to officially earn their spot in the playoffs. 

The Fleet headed into the game knowing they were missing several key players [Muller, Frankel, etc.]. The team needed to step up, and that they did. 

Klara Peslarova got her first start in net, as Frankel is dealing with an injury following a collision at Worlds. 

Peslarova had only played one other time with the Fleet, which was earlier this season when she subbed in mid game for Soderberg. The game was on February 16th and Peslarova played 40 minutes, saving 15 shots and not allowing a goal. Saturday was the first time she had seen the ice since then. 

Saturday afternoon was technically Peslarova’s first career ‘shutout’, despite not allowing any goals in during her previous appearance. 

Peslarova said, “I was waiting for this opportunity basically the whole season. The girls helped me a lot. I'm just grateful for this opportunity, because you never know when it's gonna come.” 

Other changes to the typical lineup were that Kelly Babstock was re-signed. It appeared she hadn’t served the full time of her suspension, however a clarification came that she served her suspension while on the reserves list. The league allowed her to be in the lineup, although this raises another question of if players who get suspended can serve their suspension on the reserve list, what is the punishment for committing a penalty that earns a suspension? 

Hannah Bilka made her return to ice from long-term injury reserve[LTIR], playing her first game since January 31, 2025. 

Bilka said, “It's just been fun to be a part of the team, even if I'm not on the ice. [I’m] just really grateful for everyone that's helped me come back and just excited to play again.”

The Fleet were able to turn on the offensive jets. Early scoring helped them set the tone for the game. 

Lexie Adzija scored just three-minutes into the first period. Her early goal gave the Fleet nice one-to-zero lead over Toronto. The assist came from Jaime Lee Rattray, who perfectly passed the puck to Adzija who was waiting on the left side of the net. Adzija scored her second game of the season, while Rattray picked up the assist.

With just under 12 minutes into the first period the Fleet struck again. This time, Hannah Brandt backhanded bobbled the puck through Campbell's pads to give the Fleet a 2-0 lead. 

The Fleet surprisingly stayed out of the penalty box for the most part. The game had a total of eight penalties and only three were on the Fleet. 

The Fleet struggled against the strong Sceptres penalty kill. However they were able to connect with the back of the net when Theresa Schafzahl tipped the puck in off a pass from Jaime Lee Rattray, who picked up her second assist of the night. The Fleet ended the second period with a three-to-zero lead over the Sceptres.

That would be it for scoring for the afternoon. The Fleet would hold off the Sceptres for the remaining twenty-minutes.

Klara Peslarova recorded a shutout in her first career start with the Fleet. She stood strong in net and even pushed a Sceptres player out of the way when they interfered with her crease. 

When asked about the interaction in her space Peslarova laughed and said, “I don't know about any feistiness. I don't know what actually happened in front, but she ended up in the net and I still needed to focus on my game. The puck was somewhere behind the corner and I just need to play the puck” she continued, “she just parked there.”

For the Sceptres, who were one point away from clinching a playoff spot, this wasn’t the outcome they had hoped for.

Sceptres Head Coach Troy Ryan said,  “I think the disappointing part for me, I guess as a coach, is that today was an opportunity to probably solidify home ice advantage in the playoffs and put a push on for first place. I'd like to think that those things are more motivating than even the risk of not making the playoffs.” 

The Scepters play the New York Sirens on Tuesday, April 29th. With the Sirens fighting for draft points [already eliminated from the playoffs] and the Sceptres chasing the point, it should be an interesting game.  

The Fleet were able to show up and get scoring depth from players who hadn’t been as hot this season. This provides hope for the Fleet’s upcoming playoff chase. 

Even though they are still several points away from clinching the spot, they will have the opportunity to continue the chase on Monday April 28th, where they will face the Montreal Victoire. 

The return of starting goaltender Aerin Frankel is still unknown, but the Fleet are in good hands with Peslarova. She became the third goaltender in PWHL history to earn a shutout in her first career start and hasn’t allowed a goal in the two games played. 

As for how she prepared for the game, Peslarova said, “I think I need to shout-out eggs benedict.”

The Fleet are back on the road to Montreal, where they will look to grab three more points and get one step closer to the PWHL Playoffs.