If game one was an offensive explosion, game two was a goaltending duel. Scoreless through five periods, the Montréal Victoire finally found a way past Minnesota Frost goaltender Maddie Rooney on their 52nd shot of the evening. Marie-Philip Poulin’s one-timer won the game for the Victoire, sent the Place Bell crowd into a frenzy, and tied the series at one game apiece.
Maddie Rooney shines for the Frost
Both goaltenders were fantastic all night, but Maddie Rooney kept the Frost in the game, especially in overtime.
“She was lights out for us,” head coach Ken Klee told reporters postgame. “I think she played unbelievable, [she] made big saves at big moments and we’ve gotten that from her all year. We’re not surprised by it. We expect it from her and she expects it from herself. She was outstanding.”
After allowing four goals on 25 shots in game one, Rooney made 51 saves in game two. She made big saves all game, but Rooney saved her best for the overtime periods. The Frost were outshot badly in overtime, but Rooney kept them in the game, making 11 saves in the first overtime period and 12 saves in the second.
Rooney made incredible saves all night. Some, like the one below on Abby Roque, were simply sensational.
For some, goaltending was a question mark for the Frost heading into the playoffs. Maddie Rooney made 16 starts and posted a .921 save percentage during the regular season. It was the best regular-season performance of her PWHL career. In the past two seasons, Rooney has been able to find another level in the playoffs. Tuesday night’s 51 save performance is evidence that she’s doing it again this season.
There was never any question about goaltending in the Frost locker room. “She’s one of the best goaltenders in this league, and anyone who doubts that, just look at a game like this,” Pannek said. “Both her [Rooney] and Nicole are such a strong duo for us, whichever ones in the net, we know we’re gonna have a great chance to win.”
The Frost offense goes quiet
In order to win game three, Minnesota will need to find more consistency in its game. The Frost played well in stretches in game two. They created a number of chances during regulation and held Montreal off the scoreboard for five periods.
It was a different story in overtime. Montréal outshot Minnesota 25-11 in overtime and dominated puck possession. The Frost were hemmed into their own zone often, and if not for Maddie Rooney’s heroics, Montréal would have ended the game much sooner.
Though they were outshot, Minnesota had chances to end the game in both overtimes. “We know in overtime that any shot is a good shot. I thought especially some of our depth lines were carrying [us] and they were getting big momentum for us,” Pannek said.
Though they were shut out, Minnesota did create several scoring chances. They created plenty of opportunities that, on another night, might have found the back of the net, but that doesn’t change the fact that the Frost have now been shut out in three of their last four games against Montreal, dating back to their last two regular-season meetings.
Searching for a playoff power play boost
One place the Frost will look to find more offense is on the power play. Minnesota was 0 for 2 on the power play Tuesday evening. They scored 1 power-play goal in game one on 5 opportunities. Combined, the Frost are 1 for 7 on the power play in the series. One goal in seven tries (14%) on the power play isn’t horrible, but it’s below the Frost’s PWHL leading regular season power play percentage of 23%.
It’s a small sample size, but with the Frost and the Victoire so evenly matched through two games, power play success will likely decide the series. The Frost have found success on the power play in prior playoff runs. Last season, the Frost had the third-best power play in the league at 17.9%. In the playoffs, the Frost scored 6 power-play goals on 20 attempts for a 30.0% power-play percentage.
The Frost will hope a shift in venue and home ice will bring the power play to life.
After playing five full periods of hockey Tuesday night, the Frost and the Victoire are headed to St. Paul for back to back games. Game three is on Thursday, May 7th at 6:00 P.M. CT. Game four a day later, Friday, May 8th at 6:00 P.M. CT.