Lee Stecklein leads Frost past Sceptres, even PWHL semifinal 1-1
The Minnesota Frost secured a crucial 5-3 victory over the Toronto Sceptres in a thrilling Professional Women’s Hockey League first-round matchup. Defender Lee Stecklein was the standout player of the game, contributing two goals and three points to lead her team to victory. Sophie Jacques, a Toronto native, scored the game-winning goal with just over six minutes remaining in the third period, leveling the best-of-five series at 1-1.
In addition to Stecklein and Jacques’ heroics, Michela Cava and Mellissa Channell-Wadkins also found the back of the net for the defending champion Frost. On the other side, the Sceptres got goals from Hayley Scamurra, Savanah Harmon, and Allie Munroe. Despite outshooting their opponents 30-25, the Sceptres were unable to overcome the solid goaltending of Maddie Rooney, who made 27 saves for the Frost. Toronto’s Kristin Campbell stopped 20 shots in the losing effort.
The game saw momentum swings as the Sceptres took an early 1-0 lead before the Frost responded with three goals in the second period. However, Toronto fought back and tied the game with late-period goals from Harmon and Munroe. Channell-Wadkins’ power-play goal in the final minutes ultimately sealed the victory for Minnesota.
In terms of key takeaways, the PWHL handed a one-game suspension to Frost forward Britta Curl-Salemme for a head check on Toronto’s Renata Fast. Sceptres coach Troy Ryan made a lineup change, inserting rookie defender Rylind MacKinnon in place of forward Laura Kluge.
A notable moment during the game was the presence of tennis legend Billie Jean King, who received a warm reception from the crowd at Coca-Cola Coliseum. King, a key figure in the launch of the PWHL last year, was acknowledged for her contributions to women’s sports.
A key statistic from the game was the quick goals from Harmon and Munroe, scored just 27 seconds apart, that allowed the Sceptres to tie the game at 3-3.
The series now shifts to Minnesota for Game 3, with the fourth game scheduled to take place in Minnesota as well if necessary. The stage is set for an exciting continuation of the series as both teams look to advance to the next round.
