Franklin’s girls’ ice hockey season opened Monday night with a difficult test at Shrewsbury, and the Colonials proved the superior squad in a 5-0 decision. Shrewsbury, a D1 quarterfinalist last year, showcased cohesion and finishing ability throughout the contest while the Panthers struggled to sustain offense.
Allie Martel had a huge night for the Colonials, finishing with two goals and three assists, and Joceline Boulay added two goals and two helpers. Those multi-point efforts helped Shrewsbury control the game tempo and keep Franklin pinned in its own end for long stretches.
Franklin spent much of the game defending and had trouble breaking through the Colonials’ structure to generate consistent scoring chances. While the Panthers can point to roster experience, they reached the D1 playoffs last season; the opening-night result underlined areas for improvement, particularly in transition defense and generating high-quality looks in the offensive zone.
The Panthers will have a quick chance to rebound Saturday at 6 p.m. at home against Leominster, a squad that opened its season with a win and will present another early-season measuring stick. Franklin will be looking for cleaner puck management, stronger neutral-zone play and sharper finishing as the team seeks to reset after a tough opener.
