On Wednesday January 3rd, Minnesota defeated Boston 3-2. Boston outshot Minnesota 35-16 but Minnesota’s goalie Nicole Hensley was a brick wall stopping 33 of 35 shots. Taylor Heise got the scoring going at 3:58 in the first period and Sophia Kunin would add a 2nd goal 3 minutes and 56 seconds later with Brittyn Fleming on the assist. Theresa Schafzahl would cut the deficit in half for Boston in the 2nd period but Grace Zumwinkle would respond 55 seconds later to put Minnesota back up by two goals. Megan Keller would score a power play goal late in the 3rd but Boston wouldn’t be able to get another one past Hensley. 

Boston’s netminder Aerin Frankel had a rough outing, stopping only 13 of 16 but one of those saves was a highlight reel glove save on a breakaway. It was an uncharacteristic game for Minnesota alternate captain and defenseman Lee Stecklein, who took 3 minor penalties. Minnesota plays Montreal on Saturday and Boston is playing Ottawa on Monday. It’ll be a great goalie battle if Nicole Hensley gets the start for Minnesota and Montreal chooses Ann-Renee Desbiens in net. Also builds on the USA and Canada rivalry, both have been on the Olympics teams, Hensley for the US and Desbiens for Canada. Both goalies bring a lot of accolades and success, it’ll be a great showdown.