Montreal took over first overall riding an impressive performance from Elaine Chuli who made 45 saves in Montreal's 2-1 win over Minnesota.
Montreal took over first overall riding an impressive performance from Elaine Chuli who made 45 saves in Montreal's 2-1 win over Minnesota.
PWHL Montreal entered the State of Hockey and squeaked out a 2-1 win over Minnesota, leapfrogging them for first in the PWHL.
A season-high 46 shots wasn't enough for Minnesota as Montreal's Elaine Chuli stole the show. She stopped 45 shots en route to her second win of the season, while Tereza Vanišová got two points and netted her first to help stifle the Minnesota fans at Xcel Energy Center Wednesday night.
Montreal opened the scoring four minutes in. Vanišová sent a pass to Laura Stacey just above the right hash marks. Stacey unleashed a one-timer, and the puck deflected off of Taylor Heise's stick in front and fluttered past Nicole Hensley. Stacey's flukey third goal of the season gave her team an early 1-0 lead.
Minnesota picked up steam as the period progressed. Their top line of Heise, Grace Zumwinkle, and Denisa Křížová created scoring chances, one of which resulted in Zumwinkle ringing a one-timer off the post. Abby Boreen, who made her PWHL debut after signing a 10-day contract off Minnesota's reserve list also had a couple notable opportunities. The home team, however, went to the first intermission trailing 1-0.
The second period saw a shift in intensity. Minnesota came out of the gate flying. They controlled play and eventually drew the game's first penalty, a two minute hooking call against Dominika Lásková sending a surging Minnesota team to the power play.
Despite coming up empty on the ensuing opportunity, Minnesota used the player advantage to continue building momentum. Montreal didn't record their first shot of the second period until 7:38 into the frame; by then, Minnesota had already racked up 11.
After a second failed power play opportunity and Montreal's aggressiveness ramping up, Minnesota finally got one past Chuli. Sophia Kunin got the puck to Liz Schepers along the boards. She fought through outstretched sticks from Montreal defenders as she drove to the net sending a shot on goal before Michela Cava pounced on the rebound, scoring her first of the season and tying the game at 1-1.
Minnesota picked up where they left off in the third. They continued to pepper Chuli with shots, outshooting, out-chancing, and outplaying Montreal. Even though the momentum appeared to be in Minnesota's favour, Montreal would break the tie.
Catherine Daoust’s stretch pass missed Maureen Murphy and sailed into Minnesota's end, but Murphy won the race to the puck and slapped a tough angle shot on Hensley. The shot bounced off Hensley's pad and left a juicy rebound for Vanišová, who had no problem putting it home.
A Minnesota power play would follow Vanišová's goal, but a dominant performance from Chuli kept Minnesota looking skyward. Montreal bunkered down, held off Minnesota's six-on-five attack and left the State of Hockey with the all-important three points, winning 2-1.
Elaine Chuli Shines
Chuli's performance versus Minnesota was nothing short of brilliant. The Waterford, Ontario native faced 46 shots, many of which were from prime real estate. Whether it was net front drives from Zumwinkle, hard shots from Heise, or the multiple times Minnesota crashed the crease over the game, only one goal managed to sneak by Chuli.
Minnesota unleashed a barrage of shots in the second and third period, outshooting Montreal 37-18 over the two frames. Despite Minnesota controlling play and looking like the better team for most of the contest, two unfortunate bounces and one of the best efforts by a goaltender this season left Minnesota on the losing end for the second time this season and the first time in regulation.
Through two games, Chuli is sporting a .962 save percentage and a 1.50 goals-against average.
Minnesota’s Power Play Troubles Continue
Minnesota's power play came up empty for the fifth time in six games. Their five opportunities with the player advantage against Montreal resulted in zero goals.
Like most of their power plays, their top guns, consisting of Heise, Zumwinkle, Kendall Coyne Schofield, and co., had moments where they looked lethal. They generated chances by cycling the puck, crashing Chuli's crease, and doing a solid job holding the line when Montreal attempted to clear. Still, Minnesota was snakebitten on the power play, but with how they play, it's easy to assume their fortunes will change.
Similarly, Montreal's power play also produced nothing, dropping their power play percentage below 5%. The top two teams in the PWHL had a duel to remember, but while their five-on-five play is among the league's best, their lack of power play success is a sign that there is room for improvement on either side—which might be a scary thought for the other four PWHL squads.
Abby Boreen's Impressive Debut
Another former University of Minnesota Golden Gopher made her PWHL debut for Minnesota this season. This time, it was Abby Boreen who suited up for the first professional hockey game of her career.
Minnesota signed Boreen to a 10-day contract before their game against Montreal after placing netminder Amanda Leveille on long-term injured reserve.
Head coach Ken Klee slotted Boreen on the third line alongside Susanna Tapani and Kunin. The forward made her case to get ice time during Minnesota's upcoming road trip, as she put on quite the show in front of her home fans.
While Boreen didn't appear on the scoresheet, she recorded seven shots, tying Zumwinkle for the game-high. She threw everything at Chuli, and her most impressive plays came in the first period.
First, Boreen used her speed to create separation as she entered Montreal's defensive zone. She got open, received a pass from Kunin, and whipped a shot on Chuli. Later in the frame, she tried to send a sly pass to Tapani, who was streaking towards the net. While the pass didn't connect, her confidence and creativity were apparent.
Throughout the match, Boreen hustled to pucks and flashed her physicality while putting herself in scoring positions. Minnesota dropped their first game in regulation, but their team effort, including Boreens', was unquestionable. While she went without a point in her PWHL debut, her performance was a positive storyline stemming from a tough loss on home ice.
Minnesota looks to get back in the win column Saturday as they travel to the Tsongas Center to square off against PWHL Boston. Puck drop is at 3:00 p.m. CST, 4:00 p.m. EST.