LOWELL — Perhaps all the Boston Fleet needed was a 24-day break to conquer its kryptonite.

Solving the Toronto Sceptres has been a tall task for the Fleet. Boston had dropped four of the five Professional Women’s Hockey League clashes.

But freshly removed from a lengthy hiatus triggered by the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship, the Fleet skated to a 3-0 win in front of a large crowd of 5,619 at the Tsongas Center on Saturday afternoon to stall the Sceptres from officially clinching a playoff berth while also keeping its own hopes alive.

Klara Peslarova turned in a 29-save shutout in her first start of the season for Boston as Lexie Adzija, Hannah Brandt and Theresa Schafzahl found twine to take three pivotal points with only two games remaining in the regular season. Boston (9-6-4-9) owns sole possession of third place with 43 points in front of the Ottawa Charge (42 points) and the Minnesota Frost (38 points).

Only Montreal has clinched a spot in the four-team playoff.

Boston’s had limped into the break on a three-game slide.

“Playoffs started when our puck dropped today,” said Fleet head coach Courtney Kessel. “That’s the message we’ve talked about, and I’m sure it’s across the league. The standings are so, so close. It’s anyone’s game right now.”

Boston was outshot by a 29-15 margin, but Peslarova was lights-out between the pipes, stymying Toronto on a trio of power play attempts. Boston’s league-best penalty kill (85.1%) proved its mettle to stymie Toronto’s league-leading power play (27.6%).

“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity basically the whole season … and the girls helped me a lot,” Peslarova said. “As I said already today in the locker room, they have my back, and I have theirs. I’m just grateful for this opportunity, because you never know when it’s going to come again.”

The Fleet didn’t waste any time reuniting with the Tsongas crowd, opening the scoring 2:35 into the first period. Boston won a puck battle below the goal line, enabling Jamie Lee Rattray to register her first of two assists on a slick pass to Adzija.

Hannah Bilka, activated from long-term injured reserve for Saturday’s contest amid a plethora of roster transactions, also picked up an assist. The promising rookie played in her first game since Jan. 31.

Kelly Babstock and defender Hadley Hartmetz also joined Boston’s roster from the Reserve Player list, while Alina Müller and Amanda Pelkey were placed on long-term injured reserve. Jillian Dempsey was also moved to the Reserve Player list.

Müller (7-12-19) will be a big loss for the Fleet. The forward suffered a lower-body injury at Women’s Worlds while representing Switzerland.

Boston doubled its lead with 8:13 left in the period as Brandt found twine. Megan Keller, who leads all Fleet blueliners with 13 points, surveyed the offensive zone up the right boards before hitting Brandt in the slot.

The Fleet continued to control play in the second, outshooting Toronto by a 10-6 margin and beating Kristen Campbell for a third time with six seconds left on the clock. Rattray entered the zone on a Boston power play, finding a cutting Schafzahl on the back-door for the tap-in.

“Our fans are amazing,” Kessel said. “At one point, Lowell wasn’t packed like it is today. They just continue to come. I definitely think playing at Lowell really boosts us and our momentum.”

Boston Fleet defenseman Megan Keller (5) takes down Toronto Sceptres forward Sarah Nurse behind the Boston net during the third period of Saturday’s PWHL game at the Tsongas Center. Boston won, 3-0. (James Thomas photo)
Toronto Sceptres defenseman Allie Munroe (12) battles Boston Fleet forward Hannah Bilka, left, and center Hannah Brandt for the puck during the first period of Saturday’s PWHL game. (James Thomas photo)