Minnesota Frost Earns Important Win with Strong Performance Against the Sceptres
3 Key Takeaways from the Frost’s 5-2 Win Over the Sceptres
On Sunday afternoon, March 30, the Minnesota Frost welcomed the Toronto Sceptres for their Pride Unity Day, marking the final regular-season meeting between the two teams. Coming off a rough losing streak, the Frost aimed to rebound and improve their playoff chances, while the Sceptres were looking to bolster their own postseason standing. Nicole Hensley started in net after Maddie Rooney’s recent loss to the Montréal Victoire on March 26.
The Frost came out with intensity, scoring twice within the first two minutes of the game. They continued to dominate, adding two more goals in the second period while keeping the Sceptres scoreless. Although the third period saw the Sceptres score twice, the Frost responded with one more goal to secure the 5-2 victory. Here’s how they pulled it off:
Balanced Scoring Across the Lineup
When a team’s top line struggles to find the back of the net, other players need to step up. In this game, not only did the Frost’s top line get things started, but the entire roster contributed. Almost every player recorded a point, beginning with a quick start from the top line.
The trio of Taylor Heise, Michela Cava, and Kendall Coyne-Schofield scored the first and fifth goals, while Liz Schepers, Sophie Jaques, and Britta Curl-Salemme each contributed a goal. For the Frost to maintain their playoff push, continued contributions from all parts of the lineup will be crucial.
Creating Chaos in Front of the Net
Like their NHL counterparts, the Minnesota Wild, the Frost have learned that generating chaos in front of the net can lead to success. While their first goal came from a perfect 2-on-1 play, their second goal was a result of creating disruption in front of the opposing goalie. Players crowded the net, making it difficult for the Sceptres’ goaltender to track the puck.
Head coach Ken Klee praised his team’s overall performance, saying, “We had a lot of jump and jam in our game, and we were fast, first on pucks. When we do that and keep things simple, we’re tough to handle. All four lines scored tonight, created chances, and played well defensively. When everyone contributes and plays the right way, we’re a tough team to beat.”
Hensley and the Defense Deliver Solid Performance
Nicole Hensley, who has had a challenging season, especially after her injury, had a strong outing against the Sceptres. She looked like her early-season form, making numerous key saves. The defense in front of her was also solid, limiting the Sceptres’ scoring chances and keeping most shots to the outside.
While the third period saw a couple of breakdowns and goals from the Sceptres, it was primarily due to defensive lapses, not goaltending. The team tightened up and kept the Sceptres off the board for the remainder of the game.
Hensley reflected on her performance, saying, “I felt good, like it was just an afternoon start. Our defense played really well in front of me, blocking shots and playing the puck well. That definitely saved us some goals. We took some punches in the third but responded well, and that last goal was huge to seal the win, along with a big penalty kill at the end.”
The Frost now head into a break for the Women’s World Championships, which will take place over the next few weeks. They will return on Saturday, March 26, for their final regular-season home game against the New York Sirens. The team hopes to continue their winning ways and strengthen their position for the postseason.
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