LAVAL, Quebec — In an impressive performance, Maddie Rooney recorded her first shutout of the season by making 21 saves, leading the Minnesota Frost to a decisive 4-0 victory over the Montreal Victoire, who had previously been at the top of the league standings. This game took place on Tuesday night, marking a significant win for the Frost as they put an end to their three-game losing streak and halted the Victoire’s six-game winning run.
Denisa Krizova stood out with two goals, one of which was an empty-netter, while Liz Schepers and Kendall Coyne Schofield also found the back of the net for Minnesota. Coyne Schofield’s contribution allowed her to equal Toronto’s Hannah Miller as the leading scorer in the league, with 18 points consisting of eight goals and ten assists. Meanwhile, this loss meant that Montreal was shut out for the first time this season in front of a crowd of 6,696 at Place Bell, as Elaine Chuli faced 24 shots in her fifth start.
With this victory, the Frost secured sole possession of the second place in the six-team Premier Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). They now have 29 points, trailing Montreal by five, although the Victoire have two games in hand.
Key takeaways from the match include the Frost’s ability to shore up their defense and recover after conceding 15 goals in their previous three outings. Although the Victoire began the match on a strong note, they struggled to maintain momentum as Rooney effectively thwarted their offensive efforts. In a challenging second period, Montreal managed only three shots, having previously recorded nine in the first.
A pivotal moment in the game came when the Frost successfully neutralized the Victoire’s power play for the third time with 9:51 left in the match. Krizova then extended the lead to 3-0 just two minutes after the penalty expired.
In terms of key statistics, this game marked the conclusion of the Frost’s longest road trip in franchise history, covering nearly 3,000 miles over 11 days, which included stops in Toronto, Ottawa, Boston, and Montreal.
Looking ahead, the Frost will host the Toronto Sceptres this coming Sunday, while the Victoire are set to visit the Ottawa Charge on Saturday.