Few were picking PWHL New York as they faced off against Minnesota this week, but New York put together a statement win that could define their season.
Few were picking PWHL New York as they faced off against Minnesota this week, but New York put together a statement win that could define their season.
Analytics would likely have given a low probability percentage to the chance of PWHL New York prevailing against an undefeated PWHL host Minnesota (albeit 3-0 early in the season) team having not only an early two-goal lead but also appearing to totally dominate play after one period.
But analytics didn't have a prayer in what Coach Howie Draper and his team might look back on as a season-defining comeback victory, 3-2, in overtime at the Xcel Energy Center.
When New York's Emma Woods ripped a rocket into the netting past Minnesota goalie Maddie Rooney with one minute remaining in OT, it provided the final chapter to a storybook-like ending for the visitors in front of a shocked crowd of nearly 8,000.
Even New York's ability to kill off its fourth 5-on-3 disadvantage of the young season was of little consequence to Minnesota's perseverance and puck battle wins in all three zones over the first 20 minutes. The home squad scored twice shortly after the 5-on-3 kill.
Minnesota capitalized on numerous turnovers, and their ability to control the play and create scoring opportunities on New York being out of sync resulted in a 2-0 advantage a little more than halfway through the first period.
In Wednesday's game against Montreal at UBS Arena, New York's third period was filled with issues including takeaways, odd-player rushes and ineffective passing. The result was a 5-2 loss and a second straight loss following an impressive 4-0 season-opening triumph in Toronto.
Stand tall and conquer
That trend continued in the early going on Sunday afternoon, and some post-first period soul searching seemed to do the trick as New York came out with the determination to play better over the middle frame. Even with that improved effort, there was still work to be done in a 2-1 deficit.
If the visitors were going to have a fighting chance against a solid and talented opponent, they would have to bring their 'A' game to the ice in the third period.
Mission accomplished in that regard as.New York's overall play in that period was a thing of beauty and among their best this season in a 20-minute span.
They had the upper hand in almost every offensive and defensive category. They were strong along the boards, tough on the forecheck and persistent to the puck. Every line rose to the challenge and with each passing minute got more energized.
Were it not for Rooney standing on her head over the final eight or nine minutes when New York stormed her net with several high-percentage shots, the contest would not have needed the OT session.
A 'power'ful performance
After scoring only once in 10 tries on the power play heading into Sunday's game, New York struck twice -- once each in the second and third periods -- as part of their remarkable determination to right the ship.
Alex Carpenter and Jessie Eldridge -- for the equalizer at 2-2 -- went full throttle and would not be denied on their team's power plays in the second and third periods respectively.
New York has now scored on their last three power-play opportunities going back to Ella Shelton's power-play goal in the third period against Montreal.
Brick wall down the stretch
Corinne Schroeder is certainly not one to give up six goals over two games, and her mannerism after Minnesota's second goal was one of total resolve. She had that "enough is enough" look during a closeup on television.
Whatever her mindset, it worked to perfection as she used all her weapons to make the majority of her 39 saves after giving up Minnesota's pair of goals during a four-minute stretch the game's first 11-plus minutes.