Toronto, Ontario – In an electrifying matchup on Tuesday night, Renata Fast of the Toronto Spectres clinched a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Frost by scoring on a breakaway just before the end of overtime. This game marked a special occasion as it celebrated the return of Natalie Spooner, who had been sidelined for nine months following knee surgery. Fast’s decisive backhand shot came with only 3.7 seconds left in the three-on-three overtime period, allowing the Spectres to secure their second consecutive win as the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) embarks on the latter half of its season.

Spooner, who earned the title of last year’s PWHL MVP, faced her injury on May 13 during a playoff series when the Spectres battled against Minnesota. The match initially saw the Frost take control, with defender Sophie Jaques putting Minnesota ahead by scoring just 83 seconds into the game during a three-on-one rush. Midway through the second period, Brooke McQuigge added another goal for the Frost on a breakaway, giving them a notable 2-0 lead.

However, the Spectres were quick to respond and managed to tie the game with two goals scored within just 1:54. Both Hannah Miller and Daryl Watts found the back of the net by capitalizing on their own rebounds, which shifted the dynamic of the match.

In terms of player absences, the Spectres played without star player Sarah Nurse, who was injured during a recent game for Canada against the United States in Halifax last Thursday. On the other hand, Minnesota’s Jaques shone during the game with a powerful performance, contributing both a goal and an assist.

A pivotal moment came early in the third period when Toronto executed an impressive penalty kill, notably by forward Emma Maltais, which maintained the tie at 2-2 and set the stage for the thrilling conclusion.

In terms of individual stats, a first-period assist by Minnesota’s Kendall Coyne Schofield raised her cumulative score to 15 points across 16 games, tying her with league leader Sarah Fillier from the New York Sirens and just one point behind her total from last season, which she achieved in 24 games.

Looking ahead, the Frost will face the Ottawa Charge on Thursday, while the Spectres will host the Boston Fleet on Friday, promising more exciting action as the league continues its season.