A Need For Wins
With only eight games left in PWHL’s inaugural regular season, teams are putting it all on the ice with each shift. Wins are becoming continuously harder to get. While goaltending has been outstanding, scoring goals has increased in difficulty. Unfortunately for PWHL New York, they haven’t been able to find many answers to these obstacles, dropping five straight.
But after nearly one week off, the club had a chance to get back into the playoff hunt, sitting just three points out. However, facing a hot Minnesota team made this goal a difficult one to achieve. Coming off of a dominating 4-0 win against Boston, Minnesota remained home at the Xcel Energy Center, looking for their third straight win, a streak that began a few weeks earlier in a 2-0 match against New York.
Period 1
Things began slightly shaky, as an early turnover forced New York goaltender Corinne Schroeder to move quickly. Schroeder hurried out of her crease, poking the puck out of reach from an approaching Minnesota player. Despite this scary start, New York managed to handle itself well. Furthermore, although Minnesota was outshooting them 4-1, New York’s defensive play was aggressive, as they were constantly intercepting passes and laying massive hits.
But this crumbled on Minnesota’s seventh shot of the game. Their strong start paid off, as Michela Cava’s shot found the back of the net, marking her second goal in as many games. Minnesota did not take their foot off the gas, continuously applying pressure. This momentum paid off with Minnesota’s leading goal scorer, Grace Zumwinkle, scoring her ninth of the season on the team’s 10th shot of the first period.
New York had a chance to get back in the game, but Minnesota’s goaltender Maddie Rooney denied a wide-open Jessie Eldridge, keeping the away team off the board.
Late in the first 20 minutes of play, New York’s Alexandra Labelle was sent off for tripping. But a potential breakaway from Abby Roque just 18 seconds in drew a penalty, negating the New York penalty kill. Four-on-four, Minnesota captain Kendall Coyne Schofield had a look that Schroeder rejected. Following that, a great chance from Carpenter to Shelton hit the post, and New York regained some energy, igniting a small surge. Nevertheless, the period ended 2-0 in favor of Minnesota.
Period 2
Minnesota came out just as they left off. Schroeder was tested shortly after the puck drop, making a desperate toe-save to keep the New York deficit at two. Coyne Schofield was called for a delay of game penalty, but New York could not convert on the man-advantage.
First-overall pick Taylor Heise held the puck on a 2-on-1 with teammate Cava, but Heise’s shot was stopped. Minnesota didn’t take too long to make up for this missed opportunity. On a sneaky shot from a tough angle, Minnesota’s Claire Butorac scores her first goal of the season. Halfway through the game, Minnesota led 3-0 and overshot New York 17-9.
The game did not get any easier, as Elizabeth Giguere then went off for high sticking, putting New York shorthanded for the second time. Schroeder was New York’s best penalty killer on the ice, stopping six shots on the Minnesota power play. Immediately after Giguere came out of the box, a shot on net and several bodies in front created chaos for New York, but Shelton stopped the puck with her body. On the other end of the ice, Carpenter had a look on an empty net but couldn’t get the shot off.
Minnesota’s Claire DeGeorge was sent to the penalty box for tripping, and it was New York’s turn to go on the power play. With just over two minutes left in the second period, New York immediately used the advantage, as Abby Roque tipped a Jessie Eldridge shot past Rooney. Minnesota’s lead was cut to two, and it would stay that way heading into the intermission.
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— PWHL New York (@PWHL_NewYork) March 16, 2024
Period 3
At the beginning of the final period, shots were 27-13 in favor of Minnesota. The hill became even steeper, with Chloe Aurard sent to the box for roughing. Fortunately for New York, they successfully killed the Minnesota power play.
Luck was not on their side a few minutes later, as the chances of a New York comeback dwindled with Cava's second of the game, beating Schroeder short side. Minnesota continued to score in bunches, putting the puck in the back of the net 16 seconds later. Captain Coyne Schofield was set up perfectly by Zumwinkle, and Minnesota led 5-1.
Cava had a chance at the hat trick but was turned down by Schroeder. Minnesota and the fans thought they scored, but Zibova's shot went off the post, only inches away from extending the lead.
PWHL NY's Next Opportunity
New York lengthened their miserable winless streak as the clock ticked to zero, falling to Minnesota by a final score of 5-1. New York can get back into the win column this Wednesday against PWHL Ottawa. The game will be held at Total Mortgage Arena, with puck drop set for 7:00 P.M.
Check Jersey Sporting News for all the latest content on PWHL NY.
- PWHL New York Stunned by Sarah Nurse's hat trick in 6-2 loss - April 30, 2024
- PWHL NY Winless Streak Extends to 7 in Loss to Ottawa - March 22, 2024
- PWHL NY dominated by PWHL Minnesota for 6th straight loss - March 17, 2024
