Frost Roll Past Charge 5-0, Move Into Tie Atop PWHL Standings
Minnesota used four first-period goals to extend their winning streak to four games and move into a tie atop the PWHL standings, while Ottawa's offensive struggles continued in a 5-0 shutout loss.
In their first meeting with Minnesota at Grand Casino Arena since the Frost won Game 4 of the Walter Cup Finals, the Ottawa Charge were quickly reminded of just how big that gap still is. Taylor Heise scored 27 seconds in, extending her goal-scoring streak to four games, and the Frost never looked back. Grace Zumwinkle, Kaitlyn O'Donohue, and Kelly Pannek, with two goals on the night, rounded out the scoring in a 5-0 Minnesota win that extended the Frost's winning streak to four games and moved them into a tie atop the PWHL standings alongside the Boston Fleet.
For O'Donohue, it marked her first professional goal in her second season in the league, while Pannek extends her lead in the season series to eight points (three goals, five assists). Maddie Rooney made 15 saves for her first shutout of the season, as she continues to have the strongest season of her PWHL career. “She's been rock solid for us.
Like I said early on, even when she wasn't rewarded and getting wins, she was still playing well," head coach Ken Klee said of Rooney's play this season. "We just weren't supporting her very well, so I think since maybe our second or third start, we've been trying to give her a lot better run support, which I know gives her a lot of confidence in the net knowing she can make saves when she needs to. ” For the Frost, it marked the 14th time this season in which at least five players have recorded a point, another indication of the strength of this team as the season winds down and they look to three-peat come playoff time.
While they went 0-for-4 on the power play in this game, Minnesota didn't need it, as they were able to manage the pace of play at even strength without issue from puck drop to the final buzzer. While for Ottawa, despite a lineup shuffle, they found themselves playing out the same story that has plagued the team all season long, and they remain their own worst enemy. Another slow start, penalty troubles, and difficulties generating chances throughout the game meant that they never had any momentum.