Frost Stay Alive Forcing Game 5

The back-to-back champions, Minnesota Frost faced elimination last night after falling in Game 3 to the Montreal Victoire. But a night fueled by defence and incredible goaltending has forced a Game 5 for a winner-takes-all matchup. 

The Frost took the series lead in Game 1 on the road, as they pushed a 5-4 win. But Game 2 was a different story with a complete shutout in regulation that pushed the game to triple overtime, where the Victoire ultimately pulled out the win, tying the series as they hit the road to Minnesota. In Game 3 the Frost took the early lead; however, with a quick blink of the eye the Victoire took a 2-1 lead after scoring back-to-back goals in 24 seconds. 

Game 4 was a whole different story for the seasoned Frost who came out hard, as they fought to stay alive, facing their first true elimination game since the inaugural season. No matter how many times people count them out as the ‘underdog’ the Frost continue to battle and show why they are a playoff team. 

Kicking off Game 4 was Maureen Murphy with a quick rebound chance in front of the net giving the Victoire the lead early in the third. But the Frost weren’t going out that easy as Sidney Morin found the equalizer with her third of the playoffs and wasn’t done yet, as the Frost headed on the powerplay, Morin fired the game-winner from the point once again over Desbiens left pad. 

With just minutes left in the third the Victoire tried to fuel a comeback to end the series and punch their ticket to the final, pulling Desbiens, however, it would be the Frost taking advantage with Kelly Pannek firing from deep in the defensive zone, to take a 3-1 lead. On the empty net goal Maddie Rooney recorded her first PWHL point, with the assist becoming the first goaltender to record a point in the playoffs. 

The goaltending throughout this series has been incredible on both sides with Ann-Renée Desbiens for the Victoire and Maddie Rooney for the Frost, recording over 115 saves each. Heading into a winner-takes all Game 5 the goaltending is going to be crucial for both sides, as they look to make history. The Frost are seeking their third-straight Finals, while the Victoire are searching for their first-ever Finals appearance. 

The puck drops for Game 5 in Laval Monday, May 11th at 7 PM (EST) as the series closes out. 

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