Minnesota Frost Fall to Toronto Sceptres in First Game of Season 3
As the second straight Walter Cup Championship banner was raised in Minnesota, the puck dropped on season three of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). In the first matchup of the third season, the Toronto Sceptres travelled to St. Paul to face the back-to-back reigning champions, the Minnesota Frost. And though the crowd in Minnesota tried their hardest to cheer their team to victory, the Sceptres successfully played spoiler, winning the game by a goal.
Toronto started Maggie Connors, captain Blayre Turnbull, Jesse Compher, Savannah Harmon, and new Sceptre, Ella Shelton, who was previously with the New York Sirens. Raygan Kirk started in net for the visiting team, ultimately making 30 saves on 31 shots through the game. Minnesota started Abby Hustler, Taylor Heise, Grace Zumwinkle, Lee Stecklein, and Kendall Cooper. Maddie Rooney was the netminder for the Frost—the only team to retain both of their top goaltenders in the expansion draft.
The game started with quite a bit of back and forth, with both teams looking to find their rhythm in a true game pace. Minnesota did well to maintain control of the puck and the neutral zone. A breakout by Hustler tried to find Zumwinkle in the early stages of the period, but the puck just missed the Minnesota winger’s stick. Natalie Spooner was able to keep the Sceptres out of trouble in some tricky situations throughout the first period.
An odd zone entry by the Frost sent the puck to Kelly Pannek who expertly decided to pass the puck over to Minnesota captain, Kendall Coyne-Schofield. The captain scored the first goal for the Frost and first goal of season three for the league.
Toronto was unable to tally a shot on goal until about seven minutes into the game. After their first shot though, the team was able to gain some pressure. Notably, Shelton seemed to be fitting in well.
With 4:11 remaining, Pannek was awarded a penalty shot, which was handily saved by Kirk.
On an attacking zone entry, Toronto’s puck control left something to be desired, but the puck did find its way to Shelton’s stick. An easy look for Shelton tied the game late in the first,
Toronto came out with much more momentum in the second period. An early penalty on Katy Knoll gave the Sceptres their first power play. The team with the best power play in the league last season was unable to convert.
The second period was feisty with Toronto controlling the first half and Minnesota controlling the second. Neither team was able to score.
With the score tied heading into the third, the teams started the period with some fire. A hard hit by Hustler sent Daryl Watts down the tunnel, though she did return a few minutes later.
Heise was taken down by a slash from Turnbull. As the penalty expired, Turnbull did her best to create a chance but failed to give the Sceptres the lead.
A great heads-up play by Emma Maltais sent the puck gliding through the neutral zone and giving Kiara Zanon a clean look at Rooney. Zanon scored her first career goal and, ultimately, the game winning goal for the Sceptres.
In trying to tie the game, the Frost took two more penalties. And try as they might, the reigning champions were unable to give their home crowd a win to start the season.
The three stars of the night were awarded to: 1st, Zanon; 2nd, Coyne-Schofield; 3rd, Kirk.