Revenge Tour Complete: Boston Pride Win the Isobel Cup
Boston Pride forward Carlee Turner celebrates winning the 2021 Isobel Cup Final in Boston on Mar 27, 2021. (Michelle Jay/NWHL)
Cue Duck Boats. Have a parade down the Charles River. The Boston Pride are Isobel Cup Champions.
The amount of adrenaline in my veins is unmatched. As a fan, I’ve sat and waited. I remembered the immense disappointment in 2017. Boston was so good, and that loss was soul crushing. Pair that with a poor 2018 showing and my blood started to run in 2019. Then Buffalo ripped that away again. Fine. Give me a 23-1 season ending in… COVID. Tonight, I screamed on my couch as the clock hit zero. I avoided tweeting, kept to superstition, and prayed Boston would bring home Lady Isobel. Saturday’s game did not fail to impress.
Boston Pride celebrates Mary Parker’s goal during the 2021 Isobel Cup Final in Boston on Mar 27, 2021. (Michelle Jay/NWHL)
Minnesota took to the first period by storm and when Allie Thunstrom notched her first, I fell silent. Energy drained out of me as Boston fell behind 1-0. As we hit intermission, Minnesota led 1-0 and looked dominant while doing it. Whatever Head Coach Paul Mara said in between periods worked. Boston attempted to control the second, matched Minnesota, and Mary Parker slipped one past Amanda Leveille to tie it up. Boston refused to let off the throttle as the Captain notched a goal for the lead, followed shortly by a 5-on-3 goal from Lexie Laing to give the Pride a 3-1 advantage at the second intermission.
Boston Pride forward Lexie Laing celebrates her goal with her teammates during the 2021 Isobel Cup Final in Boston on Mar 27, 2021. (Michelle Jay/NWHL)
As my knee bounced in anticipation, Minnesota came into the third with a fury. Perhaps too furious, leading to a penalty shot for Tori Sullivan that bounced off Lev’s pads. Thundstrom took that momentum and got one past Selander to cut Boston’s lead in half. A Whitecaps penalty gave the Pride a momentum shift for a quick Taylor Wenczkowski goal to re-extend the lead to 2. This is where things take a turn. Through quick and physical play, Boston attempted to hold the fort against the Whitecaps forces. Yet Tereza Vanišová would take a game misconduct with 2:24 left to give Minnesota a major power play.
The Boston Pride celebrate winning the 2021 Isobel Cup Final in Boston on Mar 27, 2021. (Michelle Jay/NWHL)
While the Whitecaps would pull within one, time ticked down to zero and Boston was the undisputed Isobel Cup Champion. Captain and Isobel Cup MVP Jillian Dempsey triumphantly took and immediately handed Lady Isobel to Kaleligh Fratkin solidifying Boston’s championship. Through every up and down of this season, Boston prevailed. Facing challenges like Covid, ice-availability, and injuries the Pride came together when it matter to bring home the ultimate prize. Five years of grinding and hard work. Barely falling short on several occasions. Lady Isobel is home, folks. Until next year, she remains in possession of the Boston Pride. Boston is now the first repeat-champion in the NWHL. Let’s protect and keep Lady Isobel in Boston next season to become the first back-to-back champions.
Boston Pride forward Jenna Rheault celebrates winning the 2021 Isobel Cup Final in Boston on Mar 27, 2021. (Michelle Jay/NWHL)
Before I sign off on an amazingly wild season, I’d like to thank the Women’s Hockey community for welcoming me with open arms. I’ve been a Pride fan since season one, yet I never knew the love and support that exists in this community. Thanks for welcoming and embracing not only “Tonight in the NWHL,” but me as well. I look forward to next season.
The Boston Pride celebrate winning the 2021 Isobel Cup Final in Boston on Mar 27, 2021. (Michelle Jay/NWHL)