Sunday afternoon, PWHL New York was back on the road as they faced an American team for the first time in franchise history in PWHL Minnesota.
Coming into Sunday’s matinee game, New York was on a two-game losing streak while Minnesota had yet to lose a game. New York coach Howie Draper mixed up the lines for the first time, most likely because of New York’s two game skid as well as the placement of forward Jill Saulnier on LTIR which was announced shortly before game time.
From the moment the puck dropped in the first period, Minnesota established their dominance over New York. What really got the momentum of Minnesota going was a 5-on-3 powerplay that lasted 1:52 as New York took two penalties in eight seconds. While New York was able to kill off both penalties, the man advantage generated a spark in Minnesota.
Alternate captain #2 Lee Stecklein broke the tie as she rocketed one past #30 Corinne Schroeder after good forechecking by Minnesota and New York’s defense leaving her wide open. The defensive mistakes didn’t stop for New York as Kelly Pannek skated right into New York’s zone, after two New York defenders collided giving Pannek the open lane. New York began to show some life at the end of the period, but this period New York looked like the same team that had dropped the past two matchups.
The second period brought about a very different PWHL New York. The team that came out was similar to the one fans saw in the first game against Toronto. Minnesota was still playing persistently, but New York was beginning to apply pressure. New York would be rewarded for this when they capitalized on a power play.
Scoring yet another goal was New York's #25 Alex Carpenter who tipped in a back door pass by #17 Ella Shelton, to cut the Minnesota lead in half. New York would get a few more scoring opportunities but were unable to capitalize as Minnesota goaltender #35 Maddie Rooney made key saves to keep her team leading heading into the third period.
New York came out with the same fire that they did in the second period, proving to be the better team in this period. New York was once rewarded again on the power play as #9 Jessie Eldridge scored her first goal of the season after one timing the puck past Rooney after a beautiful cross ice feed from Carpenter. Both teams would fight until the final whistle, but ultimately neither side was able to capitalize, meaning that this game needed extra hockey to determine a winner.
Minnesota came out blazing to start the overtime period, and almost ended the game not even a minute in, but missed on the opportunity as the puck just barely went wide. Minnesota would get themselves another opportunity to win the game after they were awarded a penalty shot due to a trip #6 Brooke Hobson that was drawn by #13 Grace Zumwinkle, but Zumwinkle would miss the shot. New York then found themselves on a 2-on-1 opportunity and #67 Emma Woods capitalized by scoring her first of the season as she sniped the puck top shelf past Rooney to win the game.
The win snapped New York’s losing streak and handed Minnesota their first ever loss.
Schroeder had another outstanding performance in net for New York as she made 39 saves in the win and set the new league record for saves in a single game.
With the win over Minnesota New York showed great persistence as they came back from a 2-0 deficit and the special teams for New York look to be gelling together now as well. New York will play next Tuesday night where they are once again on the road as they visit Montreal.
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