MONTREAL – Kristin O’Neill scored twice, and Montreal rallied in the final minutes to beat Minnesota 4-3 on Thursday night in the return of the Professional Women’s Hockey League.
PWHL Minnesota allows late comeback to Montreal, fails to clinch playoff berth
Minnesota could have clinched with a regulation victory. Its next chance will come Saturday at Ottawa.
By Associated Press
April 19, 2024 at 3:08AM
Trailing 3-2, Montreal pulled its goalie for an extra attacker with 2:49 left in the game, and the move paid off. Laura Stacey scored past Minnesota goaltender Maddie Rooney and tied the score with 2:23 left.
After Minnesota’s Maggie Flaherty took a minor penalty for holding, O’Neill scored her second of the game with 46 seconds remaining, completing the come-from-behind victory that denied Minnesota a chance at clinching a playoff spot. Minnesota can do so with a regulation victory Saturday night at Ottawa.
Both teams returned to action after a nearly month-long break for the world championships. Montreal got significant contributions from Canadians who won gold.
Captain Marie-Philip Poulin and Stacey each had a goal and two assists, and Erin Ambrose had four assists for Montreal (8-3-4-5), which snapped a four-game skid. Elaine Chuli made 25 saves.
Poulin, who helped Canada win gold with two goals in the world championship final, returned to PWHL action after missing three games with an undisclosed injury.
Grace Zumwinkle, Kelly Pannek and Brooke Bryant scored second-period goals for Minnesota (8-4-3-5), which had its five-game win streak ended. Bryant’s first goal, at 10:47 of the second, came 84 seconds after Pannek tied the score at 2-2.
Sophie Jaques had three assists and Rooney stopped 33 shots.
Montreal moved within one point of Minnesota for second place in the league standings. Both teams have four games remaining.
about the writer
Associated Press
The star forward came back from a brief injury absence, and two goals from Frederick Gaudreau helped Minnesota to another road victory.
