‘Just give her the damn thing’: Fleet coach makes PWHL MVP case for Frankel

TORONTO –  

There isn’t a need to make a case for Aerin Frankel to win PWHL MVP if you ask Boston Fleet head coach Kris Sparre.

The star goaltender recorded her third consecutive shutout and seventh of the season with 18 saves in a 4-0 win over the Toronto Sceptres on Friday. Frankel leads the PWHL in save percentage (.954), wins (16), goals-against average (1.17) and shutouts.

On top of that, the Fleet have led the standings for almost the entire season.

“I don’t know if it’s a case as it is, just give her the damn thing,” Sparre said. “What more do you want? She’s the backbone of our team. She keeps us in hockey games. We’re at the top of the league right now and … we wouldn’t be there without how good she’s been every game. 

“And so, she is the most valuable player in my opinion.”

Frankel would be the first goaltender to win MVP. Toronto forward Natalie Spooner and Montreal captain Marie-Philip Poulin claimed the award in the league’s first two seasons.

The 26-year-old Frankel last gave up a goal at 8:59 of the third period in a 2-0 loss to Toronto on March 17. The second goal in that game was an empty-netter by Blayre Turnbull.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Fleet forward Liz Schepers, who scored twice in Friday’s win. “I’ve played against her a number of times and I know how challenging that is and it’s definitely nice to be wearing the same jersey as her. 

“She gives us so much confidence as a group … right now, it seems like every single time she’s coming up big for us and just such a leader for us on and off the ice. It really means a lot to play in front of her.”

Frankel has long been among the league’s top goaltenders. She ranks first in all-time wins (36) and shutouts (9), and second in GAA (1.81) and save percentage (.934) behind Montreal’s Ann-Renée Desbiens (35 wins, seven shutouts, 1.76 GAA and .935 save percentage).

While the Sceptres were admittedly off their game Friday, Frankel made saves on multiple Grade-A chances look easy.

“I know a lot of people see all the big saves and all that. I’ve just always really appreciated her composure,” Sceptres head coach Troy Ryan said. “I don’t think the game ever seems fast for a goalie like that. 

“She is always in control. When she needs to compete and slide around, she will, but when she just needs to make a save or deflect something into the stands, she just seems to play a real good game, like a good goalie game for a team.”

The 4-0 triumph made it three straight wins for Boston, which also extended its lead atop the standings to five points.

Meanwhile, Toronto had its six-game point streak that began after the Olympic break snapped. The run catapulted the team into the fourth and final playoff spot, one point ahead of Ottawa.

The Sceptres have a quick turnaround, hosting the Vancouver Goldeneyes on Sunday afternoon. Ryan said Friday’s loss isn’t something that would sink the team, but he was quick to point out changes needed to be made and said he expects his group “to be better on Sunday.”

“Need better stick details,” he said. “You can’t assume nothing’s going to happen because as soon as you do something happens, right? So, although it’s boring at times, it’s the consistency and the habit of, ‘all right, there’s a middle drive. I’ve got to get under the stick.’ 

“And 99 times out of 100, nothing’s going to happen there. But the time you don’t build those habits through the year, you’re going to have the results that happen tonight at times.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 28, 2026.

Note to readers:This is a corrected story. A previous version incorrectly stated that Hilary Knight won the PWHL MVP award last season. In fact, it was Marie-Philip Poulin.