Abigail Boreen is still studying to be a pharmacist, but that didn't stop her from scoring her first ever professional hockey goal Sunday. It was the overtime winner for Minnesota over New York.
BRIDGEPORT, CT -- PWHL Minnesota reserve player Abigail Boreen will have quite the story to tell when she returns to her pharmacy studies.
The 23-year-old from the University of Minnesota -- on a 10-day contract -- finished a 3-on-1 rush with an overtime goal to cap a 2-1 victory over New York at Total Mortgage Arena on Sunday afternoon.
"It's been a whirlwind couple of days here but honestly we were just looking to create opportunities and capitalize in that situation," Boreen said of the culmination to Minnesota's game-ending rush. "The rebound came right to my stick ... and I just tapped it in."
The decisive tally was made possible by Kelly Pannek's determined effort into the offensive zone that created Boreen's chance on the left side..
"It's a great honor to play for this team and to continue to develop as a player," Boreen said. "I'm just trying to work around pharmacy school and hockey so I am very grateful for this opportunity."
Minnesota Head Coach Ken Klee was thrilled with the goaltending of Nicole Hensley, who like New York netminder Abbey Levy at the other end of the ice was clutch time and again not only in the OT session but also down the stretch in regulation.
"Nicole was great today," Klee said. "We knew she would come through today with a solid effort and she did."
Both goalies turned aside 31 of 32 shots through 60 minutes of the back-and-forth action that saw New York take 17 shots on goal in the second period and Minnesota answer with 17 of their own in the third period.
New York Head Coach Howie Draper was equally pleased with the play of Levy, who made point-blank saves at huge moments as Minnesota benefited from some New York breakdowns in their defensive zone.
"Abbey was outstanding. We had some breakdowns ... but she stood up tough when those happened and that's all you can ask from your goalies. She and Corinne (Schroeder) give us a chance to win every game and that's definitely what they are doing."
Just 23 seconds into the third period and operating a 4-on-3, New York assistant captain Ella Shelton tied the game with a riser from the dot in the right circle. Her power-play goal, which flew over Hensley's shoulder, was her third this season and eighth point.
New York had failed to capitalize on its three previous power plays in the game. They also had a fifth and sixth power-play chance later on in the final stanza but came up empty.
Minnesota broke through first when Abby Cook's shot from the high slot beat Levy to the stick side for the 1-0 advantage.
It was the 24-year-old defender's first goal and first point of her PWHL career, and came following a nice feed from Kendall Coyne Schofield.
New York had a golden opportunity at the equalizer minutes later on the power play. Abby Roque found herself with a wide open net from the left side but her shot sailed high.
The visitors almost went ahead 2-0 in the closing seconds of the first period, but Levy squared up and cradled Grace Zumwinkle's point-blank shot from close range.
Minnesota captain Kendall Coyne Schofield loved the way her squad came out after Saturday's 4-3 loss in Boston.
"We were disappointed with the way yesterday's game ended," Schofield said. "I think we deserved a better result even though we didn't get it. I think we brought that momentum into today's game."
The hosts took the ice with a renewed intensity at the game's outset and almost struck quickly on a Chloe Aurard breakaway from her own blue line. However, her wrister hit the post.
Unlike their inconsistent all-around effort in Toronto, New York showed marked improvement in its passing and puck management -- especially in the neutral zone that created better transition and more offensive chances.
Minnesota had some excellent opportunities also with crisp cross-ice passes through the low slot but Levy was up to the challenge.
A New York turnover in their defensive end late in the second period landed right onto the stick of Michela Cava who had a dead-on rip but Levy came through with the save.