After losing 4-0 in Game 1 against Toronto, Minnesota were determined to try to tie the series in Game 2 at the Coca-Cola Coliseum in front of an attendance of 8,581. Minnesota head coach Ken Klee opted to start Maddie Rooney in goal after Nicole Hensley allowed four goals on twenty shots in Game 1.

In the first period, both teams played a structured and tight defensive game, not allowing many scoring chances just like in the first period of Game 1. Both teams had two power plays in the period albeit Minnesota’s first power play was cut short due to Sophia Jacques for tripping. Toronto’s penalty kill unit started where they left off on Wednesday night, killing both power plays and having several scoring chances short-handed. Toronto outshot Minnesota 9-5 but the period ended scoreless.

Minnesota came out and set the tone in the 2nd period, where they out hit Toronto 21-15. Emma Greco and Taylor Heise led the way in the physical department. Despite the aggression, Toronto still managed to win a good portion of the puck battles, which led to them out shooting Minnesota 10-8 in the period. Toronto would get another power play 16:34 into the period from Mellissa Channell for tripping, but Minnesota’s PK unit would kill it. 

There was a lot more space on the ice in the third period for both teams. Minnesota had a few quality scoring chances with traffic in front of the net, but Kristen Campbell was great again at tracking the puck, making timely saves and not allowing second chance opportunities. Toronto took two minor penalties, one at 9:37 for roughing on Larocque and another at 13:08 for tripping on Munroe. Despite the opportunities and the star power on Minnesota’s power play, Toronto’s penalty kill manufactured more scoring chances than Minnesota. Spooner set up Sarah Nurse with a drop pass and Rooney made the save. Sarah Nurse had the best scoring chance of the game on a breakaway short-handed, but she would miss the net high. Toronto continued to generate offensive zone time off of the momentum of the two penalty kills.  Maddie Rooney would make a solid pad save on a deceptive shot from Flanagan at the blue line. Subsequently, she stopped another scoring chance from Jesse Compher by sealing the post and absorbing the shot. Within the next 2 minutes, Minnesota would counter-attack and Heise and Krizova would have two scoring chances of their own, but Campbell would stop both of them. With a minute and a half remaining in the third period, Renata Fast shot the puck through traffic and Compher redirected the puck in front, beating Rooney to take the lead. Minnesota would pull the goalie but to no avail, as Miller would block Jacques’ shot, collect the puck, and fire it into the empty net for the insurance goal. Kristen Campbell earned her second shutout of the series, stopping all 21 shots as Toronto took a 2-0 lead with a chance to advance to the finals with a win against Minnesota on Monday night. 

Maddie Rooney was brilliant in net for Minnesota, stopping 28 of 29 shots. She did a great job all night of tracking the puck, staying square, and making the big saves when she needed to. I can’t fault her for the redirect goal, as the defense should have cleared the front of the net. Jacque had another strong performance for Minnesota in every phase of the game, doing well at creating offense from the back end. She registered three SOGs, which tied the team lead in this game while also blocking a shot and throwing three hits. I was expecting a bit more from Minnesota’s power play today, but they still looked uncomfortable and out of time with one another. Toronto did a great job of pressuring the puck and staying in the lanes, while Minnesota seemed hesitant and indecisive with the puck. I think if they simplify their power play, get bodies to the front of the net, and be more accurate with their passes, they will have a better chance of getting one past Campbell. However, if she sees it, she will stop it. 

Toronto dominated in every facet of the game again. I thought they did an even better job this game of taking away Zumwinkle and Heise’s ice. Toronto’s third line of Maggie Connors, Jesse Compher, and Kaitlin Willoughby dominated the game with their tenacity and forecheck. There was a moment where every Toronto fan took a deep breath after Sarah Nurse appeared to have been injured in a collision but came back out and had several quality scoring chances and several blocked shots. Right now, Toronto is in complete control of this series. Kristen Campbell is reminding me of prime Roberto Luongo in Vancouver with how dominant she has been in back to back shutouts. If Minnesota wants to stave off elimination, their bottom six is going to have to outplay Toronto’s bottom six, make the most of their powerplays, and convert on their scoring chances. I won’t be surprised if head coach Ken Klee changes up the lines to shake things up, as well as start Maddie Rooney again in net for Game 3.