It's Frosty at the Top

It was a freezing cold day with Frost in effect, and it was no different inside Grand Casino Arena as the Minnesota Frost faced the New York Sirens. 

The Frost got off to a quick start, taking offensive possession, getting off some early shots. It didn’t take long for the Frost to find a way past Kayle Osbourne as Kendall Cooper played the puck across for Mae Batherson, who found Taylor Heise cutting in front of the net, to bury the first of the game. Just 12 seconds later it was Captain Kendall Coyne-Schofield driving the net after collecting the poke check from Abby Hustler in the neutral zone setting a new franchise record for fastest back-to-back goals. 

But New York wasn’t going down without a fight as the rookies took charge with Casey O’Brien playing the puck up for Kristýna Kaltounková who wrapped around the net, taking a weird bounce off Kelly Pannek, to cut the Frost’s lead to 1 heading into the second period. 

The Frost came out hungry in the second to protect home ice. Halfway through the frame Klara Hymlárová played the puck back for Katy Knoll, who was able to dance around the Sirens defender to bury her 5th of the season. Not long after it was Grace Zumwinkle joining in on the party collecting the puck off the faceoff to get a quick shot in front of the net, to give the Frost a 4-1 lead heading into the third period. 

The Sirens weren’t ready to let this one slip, pushing in the third with Kayla Vespa playing it to Savannah Norcross from behind the net, who was able to get a quick pass across the crease to wide-open Anna Bargman, to shrink the gap. In an additional effort to tie the game the Sirens pulled Osbourne, with just over 3 minutes remaining. But it was Katy Knoll that would take advantage, passing the puck up for herself into the neutral zone, shooting from center ice, for her second of the game to freeze in the Frost’s win. New York then took a penalty going a player-down and it was Kelly Pannek joining the party, collecting the rebound from Zumwinkle’s attempt to take the game 6-2. 

Leading the League 

The Minnesota Frost have been an offensive powerhouse all season, now tallying 44 goals. So it’s no surprise they’re dominating the league leaderboards. Frost players now hold 4 of 5 top spots in points; Kendall Coyne-Schofield (16), Kelly Pannek (14), Britta Curl-Salemme (14), and Taylor Heise (14). 

With her goal in today’s game Kendall Coyne-Schofield became the first player to reach 10 goals this season, still holding the number 1 spot, not far behind is Kelly Pannek now with 7 on the season. 

The Frost are also leading in assists, taking the top three spots in the category with Taylor Heise first in the league with 11, followed by Britta Curl-Salemme with 9, and rookie Kendall Cooper with 8. 

Maddie Rooney Finding Her Game 

After a rough start to the season Maddie Rooney seems to be finding her game in net, with wins in her last two starts. In the matchup today Rooney recorded 25 saves, keeping the Frost in the lead and holding off a tough Sirens offence. Rooney was the cornerstone of Minnesota’s back end last season through their playoff run, going 5-0 in the Walter Cup run, including the Cup winning game in overtime. In the off-season the Frost re-signed Rooney on a three-year deal and is expected to continue having a major impact on the Frost’s backend. 

Up Next …

All eight teams are in action Wednesday night, the Frost stay at home to take on the Vancouver Goldeneyes, for their first matchup of the season, while the New York Sirens head to Boston to take on the Fleet. The standings have continued to move around in the last few games and with the Olympic break coming up, teams want to end on a high, before the league starts back up February 26th.