Frost defeat Charge in overtime in Game 2, tie PWHL Finals

While the scenario might’ve been similar in the nation’s capital, the outcome was different.

For the second game in a row, the PWHL Finals saw overtime. However, thanks to a couple of goals from Britta Curl-Salemme, the Minnesota Frost were able to come away with a 2-1 win this time, evening the series at a game apiece.

The story followed the script from Game 1 on Tuesday night. The Charge struck first and hoped to hang on to the one-goal lead. Once again, Frost was able to find the equalizer, this time in thrilling fashion.

After Ottawa forward Tereza Vanisova took a tripping penalty in the final minute of regulation, Minnesota cashed in as Curl-Salemme snuck a shot through the five-hole of Gwyneth Philips with 15.4 seconds on the clock.

Both teams had glorious chances in overtime, though Ottawa arguably carried the play in the extra frame. That didn’t matter, though, as late in OT, a solid rush from Frost defender Mellissa-Channell Watkins led to Curl-Salemme hammering a rebound by Philips, giving Minnesota a critical victory.

Curl-Salemme stepped up despite being subject to resounding jeers from the Charge faithful in both games in Ottawa. Even during an intermission interview with rinkside report Rob Pizzo after the third period, the Charge fans audibly booed the former Wisconsin Badger.

It certainly felt like a missed opportunity for the Charge. After a thrilling overtime win in the series opener, they dominated for long stretches in Game 2. They outshot the Frost 16-6 in the second period, leading the count 24-9 through 40 minutes. The Charge ended up putting 38 shots on goal to the Frost’s 24.

Defender Jocelyne Larocque gave Ottawa the lead with a little over two minutes to go in the third with a highlight-reel goal, sending TD Place into a frenzy.

It was the veteran’s first goal as a member of the Charge since being traded by the Toronto Sceptres in late December.

Many paying customers were upset at the officials on Thursday. Even Ottawa head coach Carla MacLeod looked a little flabbergasted at some points, with Larocque taking a slight jab at the refs during an intermission interview as well.

Minnesota was awarded five power plays, including two in the third, to the Charge’s two. Ottawa missed out on both opportunities on the player advantage, while the Frost went 1-for-5.

It was a huge night for Maddie Rooney. The Frost goaltender didn’t start the first game of the final, with Nicole Hensley taking the loss. After making 37 saves in Game 2, it seems clear that head coach Ken Klee has an easy choice of who to play when the series shifts to St. Paul.

Philips made 22 saves in the losing effort.

Game 3 will be held at the Xcel Energy Center on Saturday. The puck drop is scheduled for just after 5 p.m. ET.

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