Compher’s late tally gives PWHL Toronto 2-0 series lead against Minnesota
Another packed house at Coca-Cola Coliseum was holding its breath for nearly 59 minutes on Friday night.
However, thanks to a couple of late goals, Toronto was able to pull out a 2-0 victory over Minnesota, taking a 2-0 series lead in the Walter Cup Semifinals.
Game 2 of the best-of-five was scoreless through two periods of play, and then some, thanks to some outstanding goaltending from Toronto’s Kristen Campbell and Minnesota’s Maddie Rooney, who was making her first start of the series. The way the game was trending, it looked like the game was going to head to overtime tied at 0-0.
Yet, with just 1:25 to play in regulation, Toronto’s Renata Fast ripped a shot from the right point that deflected off Jesse Compher and in to break the deadlock.
JESSE COMPHER STRIKES FOR TORONTO!
They take a 1-0 lead with just over a minute to go in the 3rd 😮#PWHL pic.twitter.com/Oy2EINaoc3
After the game, Compher stated she had no idea it was her goal, at first.
“I honestly didn’t see much,” Compher said. Just try to go to the net as hard as possible. I think we’ve talked about this all year—getting in front of goalies, taking their eyes away creates chaos, and hopefully, good things come from that, and that’s what we experienced there.”
It was the Northbrook, Illinois native’s first of the postseason, and with Hannah Miller potting an empty-netter in the final seconds of the game, Toronto was able to take a commanding series lead thanks to two big wins on home ice.
Minnesota came out with some jump in the opening minutes of the game, but Toronto gradually took the play to Minnesota as the first period wore on. The home team ended up leading the shots for most of the night, ended up outshooting Minnesota 30-21.
Campbell posted her second shutout of the series, having turned away all 46 shots she has faced in the series. The 26-year-old netminder has steadily grown into a fan favorite as the season has wore on, as another sell-out crowd of 8,581 yelled “Soup” after nearly every save made once again.
Rooney was no slouch on her end, making 28 saves in the losing effort. She confirmed that she liked the way the team played as a whole in Game 2.
“I think today we were just a whole new team defensively and offensively,” Rooney said. “It started in the defensive zone. They were making my job easy back there.”
Minnesota had a couple of glorious chances to strike first in the third, as they had two power plays, including one with Jocelyne Larocque in the box. However, big saves by Campbell and excellent work by Toronto’s penalty kill kept their opponent off the board.
Head coach Troy Ryan admitted the team’s penalty kill, which kept Minnesota from converting on its four chances, was crucial in picking up the win.
“I definitely think it’s a big part of our game,” Ryan said. “We’re not scared to play physically– we’re not scared to play on that line. I said to the group in the dressing room after I thought that the penalty kill gave us momentum at different times in the game – it’s a big part of our success.”
Toronto went 0-for-3 on the player advantage.
The physicality was elevated on both sides on Friday night, as a rivalry is slowly brewing as this series goes along. In the second period, Minnesota defender collided with Toronto’s Sarah Nurse, which forced the Canadian National Team star to miss a number of shifts before returning to the game.
Jaques said Minnesota’s goal was to play the body a little more in Game 2 to try to turn the momentum in their favor.
“We definitely tried to be more physical today,” Jaques said. “Especially on the forecheck and in the corners and the D zone. It helped us win a lot more battles and generate more chances.”
Toronto has a chance to be the first team to clinch a spot in the Walter Cup Finals on Monday night, as Game 3 sees the series shift to the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.