Aerin Frankel made 41 saves, Gigi Marvin scored in front of friends and family, and Boston picked up important points in the PWHL standings.
PWHL Minnesota dropped their second consecutive game in regulation as PWHL Boston won 2-0 at Xcel Energy Center Sunday afternoon.
Aerin Frankel's sensational 41-save performance stole the show in St. Paul, rendering Minnesota's Taylor Heise-less offense without a goal. Susanna Tapani tallied an assist on the game-winning goal in her return to the State of Hockey, lifting her team to victory against her former squad.
Minnesota opened the game flying. They racked up shots, got multiple high-danger opportunities, often off the stick of Grace Zumwinkle, and looked like the better team. Their dominant play persisted into the latter half of the frame, but Frankel denied everything Minnesota threw at her.
A Nicole Hensley tripping penalty stifled Minnesota's momentum with under five minutes remaining in the period as Boston went to the power play.
While Minnesota's penalty killers went to work, Boston's player advantage helped them find their footing. Hensley turned away Boston's multiple chances, but the away team picked up momentum following the power play.
Regardless, the goalies remained perfect after one, but Boston would open the scoring halfway through the second.
Jamie Lee Rattray sent a pass to Tapani, who skillfully handled the puck while Natalie Buchbinder hounded her. Tapani sent a quick feed over to Theresa Schafzahl, and she made no mistake burying the puck backhand past Hensley for her third of the season.
Moments after assisting on the opening goal, Tapani would head to the box for interference. However, Minnesota couldn't capitalize on their ensuing power play.
Both teams failed to find the back of the net following Schafzahl's marker, meaning Minnesota went to the second intermission trailing 1-0 despite outshooting their opponent by double digits.
Minnesota continued to press in the third period, and two power plays during the final 20 minutes gave them multiple chances to knot the game at one. Between their power plays and speed exhibited at even strength, it felt like Minnesota was on the verge of tying the game.
Unfortunately for the home team, Frankel stood tall. Gigi Marvin potted her first of the season with Minnesota's goalie pulled, and Boston left Xcel Energy Center with a 2-0 victory and the all-important three points in the standings.
Minnesota's Scoring Woes
The story of the game came hours before puck drop. Minnesota announced the signing of Abby Boreen to her second 10-day contract and subsequently placed Heise on long-term injured reserve.
Heise's absence over the last four games is noticeable. While this is natural for any team missing their top-line center, it's especially evident in Minnesota's lack of offensive production. Minnesota has yet to score over two goals in a game since she's been out with injury and has scored just one over their last two losses to Montreal and Boston.
Minnesota's stout defensive and goaltending play has kept them within victory's grasp over this four-game stretch. They are getting good looks game-in and game-out, but their inability to finish is costing them valuable points in the standings.
As Montreal continues to rack up wins and a red-hot Toronto surges up the rankings, Minnesota looks a little vulnerable entering the second half of the season.
Aerin Frankel Shines
Despite a valiant effort from Hensley, it was Aerin Frankel who stole the show in St. Paul on Sunday. She stopped 41 shots and earned her first shutout of the season as she backstopped her team to victory.
Multiple stops on Minnesota's elite offensive weapons highlighted her impressive performance. Some of her best plays include a net-front save on Zumwinkle in the opening frame and stifling Kendall Coyne Schofield's breakaway in the dying minutes of the third period.
Minnesota got their chances despite Heise's absence but failed to get one by Frankel.
Abby Cook, Susanna Tapani Return to Minnesota
It feels like Minnesota sent Abby Cook and Tapani to Boston for Sophie Jaques forever ago. While the trade is still relatively fresh, Sunday marked the first time the trio of players faced off against their former teams.
Tapani got the best of her old squad, setting up Schafzahl's game-winning goal and providing solid two-way play in the third period as Minnesota looked for the equalizer. Cook recorded a shot on net and played her part in Boston's win, continuing her consistent play as an all-around defender on the blue line.
Minnesota returns to action when they host Toronto on Tuesday at 3M Arena at Mariucci. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. CT, 8:00 p.m. ET.