Stecklein doubles down as Frost enact revenge on Sceptres, even series at 1-1

Photo credit: PWHL

By Adam Floujeh

The Minnesota Frost defeated the Toronto Sceptres by a score of 5-3 in game two of their opening round matchup at Coca-Cola Coliseum on Friday night, tying the series 1-1 as it heads to Minnesota.

Defender Lee Stecklein registered two goals for the Frost while Savannah Harmon scored her first goal in a Sceptres uniform. While Toronto did score twice in 27 seconds to tie the game late in the second period, Minnesota’s Sophie Jaques’ late goal would be the game-winner. 

“Best of five can be dangerous,” said Sceptres head coach Troy Ryan. “You win one on the road and you're going home to try to wrap it up. It just shifts now, we're going into Minnesota and we’ve got to steal one, hopefully we get two, but we got to steal one.”

The first period was a net positive for the Sceptres. They picked up the lead less than halfway through the opening frame thanks to a shot from forward Hayley Scamurra going off Frost defender Natalie Buchbinder. Toronto also killed a Minnesota power play to continue their momentum.

The Frost faced a similar situation to game one, where they started the second trailing. For game two, however, they took complete control to start off the middle frame. Stecklein, who became the first defender to record a three-point game in PWHL playoff history, scored 4:41 into the second while Minnesota completely controlled play. 

“She was outstanding, obviously, she’s known as a world-class defensive defender,” said Frost head coach Ken Klee. “You know it’s the playoffs, we know we have to find different ways to score goals and different people have to contribute. She knows that she exemplifies that and that’s why she’s one of our leaders and one of our best players.” 

Over the first ten minutes of the second period, the ice appeared tilted against the Sceptres. It took 8:47 for Toronto to register a shot, off the stick of Natalie Spooner during a two-on-one rush. That play was preceded by another odd-player rush where Sarah Nurse missed the net entirely. 

The Sceptres were chasing from the start of the period, gaining next to no zone time and looking like a completely different team from the opening 20 minutes of the game. 

“Our second was just uninspiring,” said Ryan. “Lacked the energy, not sure really where it came from. Obviously you give a little bit of credit to [Minnesota] that they started to pour it on a bit.” 

The Frost continued to push the attack, scoring a pair of goals about two minutes apart midway through the period. A bounce to Michela Cava that snuck through Sceptres goaltender Kristen Campbell, followed by a Stecklein slapshot, sucked the life out of Coca-Cola Coliseum. 

“It really goes back to our team and the way we have been playing these last few games,” said Stecklein, who leads playoff scoring with four points. “Obviously, we have some offensive threats and people they have to be worried about which opens up some stuff and you just have to be ready to take advantage of it.”

While Toronto were on life support for most of the second, they came alive during a late powerplay. Just like that, Savannah Harmon brought the Sceptres within one off a give-and-go play with Emma Maltais.

The biggest brightspot for the Sceptres was the reuniting of Maggie Connors with Natalie Spooner and Maltais. That line went on to set up Allie Munroe’s game-tying goal 27 seconds later.

“[Connors has] been grinding all year long, and I'm really happy for her,” said Maltais.“Her game is really shining through right now, really important time.” 

It's the first instance of that line being together since last season and coach Ryan had plenty of praise after the game for both Connor’s ability to make strong plays on the walls and Maltais’ defensive decision-making and faceoff ability despite not playing much centre recently. 

While Toronto did start to find their legs again in third, a partial two-on-one late allowed Jaques to reestablish the lead for the Frost, which they held through to Mellissa Channell-Watkins burying the empty netter.

Now the five game series shifts to a best of three with the Frost spoiling home ice advantage for the Sceptres. Toronto will be looking to do the same to avoid a repeat of their loss to Minnesota in last year's playoffs.

“I think we've got to be optimistic and positive of where our game is right now. If we just continue along, good things should happen,” said Ryan.

UP NEXT: The series shifts to Minnesota for game three on Sunday at the Xcel Energy Centre, puck drop at 6 P.M. EST.