Tereza Vanisova broke a tie game with her goal 13 minutes, 54 seconds into the third period and PWHL Minnesota couldn’t find a late equalizer in a 2-1 loss to Montreal on Wednesday at Xcel Energy Center.
Vanisova also assisted on Laura Staceys goal 4 minutes, 12 seconds into the first period that gave Montreal an early 1-0 advantage. Michela Cava knotted the game at 1-1 for Minnesota when she scored 11 minutes, 51 seconds into the second period. Liz Schepers and Sophia Kunin assisted on Cava’s second-period strike.
That made it anyone’s game in the third period. With a minute and a half remaining, Minnesota pulled goaltender Nicole Hensley, who made 19 saves on 21 Montreal shots, but the team was unable to push across the tying goal.
Minnesota outshot Montreal 39-21, but Montreal goaltender Elaine Chull was on fire, stopping 38 of those 39 shots. Minnesota beat Montreal 3-0 in their first meeting at Xcel Energy Center on Jan. 6, which was Minnesota’s home opener.
Minnesota is now 4-2 on the season and will return to action on Saturday when it takes on Boston at Tsongas Center in Lowell, Mass. Puck drop is set for 3 p.m.
