PGT 12/7/25: Frost Melted as Fleet Improve to 4-0

Who would have thought when we started the season that we would be going into the Rivalry Series break atop the league, undefeated at 4-0? This was not the most efficient game, and there was a whole lot of dump and chase and trying to find too many passes instead of shooting, which at times made me feel like I was watching last year’s team, but the defense was solid, and they won, nonetheless.

I have to admit, I was nervous going into this one. Minnesota always has that tendency to get the cheap goal or defy the odds, and I didn’t want them to be the ones to end our streak, but once I was in my seat, I felt a lot more at ease. When Shay Maloney scored the first goal (unassisted), I felt good. When Keller scored (assisted by Müller and Winn—her first point), I felt great. This is a whole different team in a whole different year, and they’re writing their own story.

In the second, Hymlárová got one for the bad guys, ending Frankel’s shutout streak, but Abby Newhook padded the lead with it a PPG (assists by Keller and Winn). That girl is on fire—three goals in three games. Schafzahl added another PPG in the third (assists by Jamie Lee Rattray and Riley Brengman—her first point) to put things out of reach.

We took some bad penalties—three tripping calls. This is the first game where penalties have really gotten out of hand, but the PK was 100%, as was the PP, not including offsetting penalties with ten seconds left where Britta Curl got into it with Ryland MacKinnon, then Laura Kluge attempted to retaliate and took another big hit from Curl. They got into it, which resulting in a five minute major and game misconduct for Kluge for “cross checking.” The scrum only earned Curl two minutes for roughing (because of course) and Minnesota was awarded a three minute power play despite only seconds remaining. Hopefully there’s no additional discipline for Kluge, because wtf.

A couple of other notes: huge blocks by Saulnier and Brandt at various moments. Brengman is really setting in. She played just under 22 minutes, almost as much as Winn and Keller. Hartmetz also had a great game and is really coming into her own. Boyd had four hits, and I’m really loving how physical her game is. Winn looked great as usual, and it’s awesome to see her find the scoring sheet. Also, Abby Freaking Newhook—what an absolute gem.

Three starts: 1. Megan Keller 2. Shay Maloney 3. Haley Winn

What’s next: The Fleet are off until December 17th when they visit the New York Sirens at the Prudential Center, game time 7:00 p.m. EST.