On February 12, 2026, seven athletes from the Boston Fleet demonstrated outstanding performances during the preliminary round of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Representing multiple countries, these players included Team USA members Aerin Frankel, Megan Keller, and Haley Winn; Czechia’s Daniela Pejšová; Finland’s Susanna Tapani; Germany’s Laura Kluge; and Switzerland’s Alina Müller. Their collective contributions across various positions helped their teams advance to the quarterfinals.
Leadership Roles Held by Boston Fleet Representatives
Several Fleet players were entrusted with leadership responsibilities for their national teams. Megan Keller (USA), Alina Müller (Switzerland), and Laura Kluge (Germany) were all appointed as Alternate Captains ahead of the tournament’s start, underscoring their pivotal roles within their squads.
Players Reaching Olympic Firsts with Key Goals
During the preliminaries, three Boston Fleet players achieved a milestone by scoring their inaugural Olympic Winter Games goals. Laura Kluge registered her first on February 7 against Japan, Megan Keller scored on the same date versus Finland, and Haley Winn netted her first on February 9 against Switzerland.
Kluge’s debut goal contributed to a 5-2 victory over Japan, where she also tallied four points overall. Meanwhile, Keller and Winn bolstered Team USA’s defense and offense, each scoring during consecutive 5-0 shutout wins against Finland and Switzerland, respectively.
Laura Kluge Leads Olympic Scoring Charts Through Preliminary Rounds
Laura Kluge emerged as a tournament leader in points after the preliminaries, amassing seven points on three goals and four assists. More than half of these points were earned in the game against Japan (one goal, three assists). Kluge maintained her scoring momentum by netting a power-play goal against France on February 9 in a 2-1 overtime win. She also secured the game-winning goal late in the third period against Italy, ensuring Germany’s advancement to the quarterfinals.
Aerin Frankel’s Goaltending Excellence Anchors Team USA
Aerin Frankel impressively started her first Olympic appearance by recording 13 saves in her initial win on February 5 against Czechia. Throughout the preliminary round, she conceded just one goal across three starts for Team USA, securing three victories that included two shutouts and an outstanding 0.978 save percentage.
Her standout moment came during the highly anticipated match against Canada, where she denied all 20 shots, marking both the first shutout victory for the United States against Canada in Olympic women’s hockey history and the largest margin of victory in that rivalry.
Alina Müller Sets Swiss Olympic Scoring Record
Alina Müller, after scoring twice during the preliminaries (February 6 against Czechia and February 10 versus Finland), became Switzerland’s all-time leading goal scorer in Olympic competition. Her 14 career goals surpassed the previous record held by Stefanie Marty. This achievement places her among an elite group of just nine players with 14 or more Olympic goals and ten players with at least 26 career points.
Statistical Highlights from the Preliminary Stage
The following statistics summarize performances by Boston Fleet players during the preliminary rounds:
- Team USA:
- Aerin Frankel (Goalkeeper): 3 Games Played (GP), 3 Wins, 0.33 Goals Against Average (GAA), 44 Saves (SVS), 0.978 Save Percentage (SV%), 2 Shutouts (SO)
- Megan Keller (Defense): 1 Goal, 3 Assists, 4 Points in 4 Games
- Haley Winn (Defense): 1 Goal, 1 Assist, 2 Points in 4 Games
- Team Czechia:
- Daniela Pejšová (Defense): 0 Goals, 0 Assists, 0 Points in 4 Games
- Team Finland:
- Susanna Tapani (Forward): 0 Goals, 0 Assists, 0 Points in 3 Games
- Team Germany:
- Laura Kluge (Forward): 3 Goals, 4 Assists, 7 Points in 4 Games
- Team Switzerland:
- Alina Müller (Forward): 2 Goals, 1 Assist, 3 Points in 4 Games
Upcoming Quarterfinal Matchups Involving Fleet Players
The quarterfinals are scheduled to commence on February 13, 2026. The opening game will feature Team Czechia versus Team Sweden at 10:40 a.m. ET, followed by Team USA facing Team Italy at 3:10 p.m. ET the same day. On February 14, Team Canada will confront Team Germany at 10:40 a.m. ET, and Team Finland will play Team Switzerland at 3:10 p.m. ET.
These matches are pivotal as they determine advancement toward the medal rounds, with significant stakes for all teams involved.
Opportunities for Fans to Engage and Support
Supporters are encouraged to join watch parties and follow updates through The Ultimate Away Game – PWHL‘s Olympic Hub, which offers detailed player schedules and comprehensive coverage of the Olympic Winter Games. Information about single-game tickets, season memberships, and mini-packs is available via the Boston Fleet’s official channels.
About the Boston Fleet and the PWHL
The Boston Fleet is one of eight franchises competing in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), established in 2023. The league’s inaugural season began in January 2024 and features top women’s hockey talent globally. The PWHL has set multiple attendance records, including holding the worldwide record attendance for a women’s hockey game.
For the latest information on the Boston Fleet, fans can visit boston.thepwhl.com or follow the team on Facebook, Instagram, and X. The PWHL maintains an active presence across social media platforms, including @thepwhlofficial.
