Frost Freeze Over Edmonton

It was a freezing cold day in Edmonton, and inside it was no different as the Frost took effect in overtime. Even through the weather conditions, the game drew in 10,264 fans for their first game of the Takeover Tour. 

Minnesota came out strong in the first period, taking control of the puck early, causing Vancouver to take their first penalty of the game just 52 seconds in, for Delay of Game, giving the Frost a power-play. On the player advantage, it was Frost rookie, Abby Hustler, down the center off a pass from Mae Batherson, to get an early lead, with her first PWHL goal. 

However, the lead wouldn’t last long with Izzy Daniel scoring less than two minutes later for her first goal as Vancouver Goldeneye. Daniel was acquired in the expansion draft earlier this year from the Toronto Sceptres. 

Vancouver took three more penalties to round the first half of the period, giving the Frost lots of looks. Still, Emerance Machmeyer and the Goldeneyes' defence shut down all of Minnesota’s efforts, and on the third one looked more like they were on the power play, holding Minnesota to no shots. 

The second period saw a lot more back-and-forth action, but neither team was able to capitalize, with Emerance Machmeyer and Maddie Rooney locking down their nets. 

In the third period, there was lots of back-and-forth action, but the Frost’s defence held the Goldeneyes to only one shot on goal, while Minnesota was able to put 15 on net, though neither team could finish the game, headed to overtime. 

The Frost dominated possession in overtime. Vancouver was doing a great job holding the Frost off before Taylor Heise picked speed in the offensive zone, firing from the right faceoff dot, to score her first of the season to put Minnesota back in the win column. 

The win marks Maddie Rooney's first win in net this season and moves Minnesota up to third in the standings, just two points behind Toronto. Well, Vancouver moves up to 6th place, tied with Ottawa at 9 points, with a game in hand. 

Up next, the Frost continue their roadtrip to Toronto to take on the Sceptres. In their last matchup, the Sceptres rained on Minnesota’s banner-raising ceremony, taking the game 2-1, in the season opener. While Vancouver heads to New Jersey to take on the New York Sirens, as they continue their six game roadtrip. 

The Takeover Tour returns to Edmonton on April 7th as the Goldeneyes take on the Boston Fleet.