Frost Continue To Pad Playoff Positioning With OT WIn In Toronto

The Toronto Sceptres and Minnesota Frost played a tight, low-event game on Sunday that was won 2-1 in overtime by the Frost. 

It was evident that neither team had their best game in tow when the first period was filled with turnovers, missed passes, and blocked shots. 

Minnesota's Brooke McQuigge broke the ice at 5:26 with a shot into a crowd in front of goalie Kristen Campbell. It found its way through the screen and put the visitors ahead. 

Emma Maltais had the best chance for the Sceptres when she broke through and took a nice pass from Emma Woods but hit the post beside Minnesota goaltender Nicole Hensley. 

Penalties dragged down the efforts of the Sceptres, with five total infractions called against the home team. 

They managed to kill all five and boosted their PK percentage to over 0.80. 

Late in the second, defender Renata Fast stepped up again, firing a shot from the top of the circle that found the back of the net. The second frame ended with shots 16-10 in favor of the Frost. 

Penalties were again the story in the third, with four total calls, but neither team cashed in. 

When the game went into overtime, Minnesota won all three face offs which gave them possession and tilted the ice in their favor. It was veteran Lee Stecklein who drove the play into the Sceptres' zone and hit the post with a shot. Britta Curl and Kendall Coyne Schofield both crashed the net and as the rebound fluttered in the air, Coyne's stick found the puck and put it in for the OT winner. 

The victory ties Minnesota with Boston for third place with 35 points as the standings tighten even further with only seven games remaining for most teams. It moved Minnesota closer to securing a playoff spot.

“It was a good hockey game," said Minnesota head coach Ken Klee. "It felt like a playoff game –– to me it felt like the games we played last year that were so tight. Everyone can beat everyone on a given night, if you’re not sharp and paying attention to details you’re probably going to end up on the wrong end. It’s the parity of the league which makes it really fun and every night you better bring it or else you’re going to end up on the wrong side.”

Toronto has 10 days off before its next game against the Sirens. Minnesota plays next on Tuesday in Ottawa.