Boston and Minnesota had their final meeting together, both teams looked to clinch the series with 2 wins a piece in a total of 4 matchups. Boston’s starting goaltender Aerin Frankel was not in the lineup, Emma Söderberg got the start and Cami Kronish backed her up. Minnesota was looking to clinch the third playoff spot during this game, a point against Boston would do it for them.
The first period was scoreless, and Minnesota doubled Boston’s total shots (12-6). Most of the first period was spent on Boston’s end and Söderberg came up big to keep this game even.
The momentum for Minnesota stayed for the first 10 minutes of the second period. Boston’s Taylor Girard went down and was visibly in pain, holding her knee. She had to get helped off the ice and could not put any pressure on her leg. It was a big loss for Boston, especially since Boston already lost Loren Gabel this season due to injury. As the time was winding down, Minnesota’s Kelly Pannek got one on the board with a little over a minute left to go in the second period. Boston was being tested in this game, and without Söderberg, it would not have been as close as it was.
The third period arrived, and it was a big one. Ottawa lost to Montreal 2-0 so a Minnesota regulation win would’ve clinched a spot for Minnesota and Ottawa, which then would eliminate Boston from the playoffs. Boston woke up this period, after having 12 shots through the first two periods, they were able to step up and put 18 shots on Hensley during the third period, and holding Minnesota to just 8 shots on Söderberg. About two minutes into the third, Boston’s Alina Müller tied this game up with a big goal, the Boston team already shown to have woken up this final period.
With a lot on the line, Boston proved to be the better team this period. Minnesota had them contained but Boston had other plans. As the clock was winding down, this game was getting more and more tense. That was until the final seconds of the game…literally. Hannah Brandt kept Boston in the race and put one behind Hensley with just 2.7 seconds left to win this game in overtime and avoiding elimination.
With just one game left in the season, Boston needs help from other teams in the league if they hope to clinch a spot. They are now tied in points with Ottawa, it is anyone’s game now.
