The Frost entered the PWHL’s Olympic break on a high note, as the team defeated the Vancouver Goldeneyes 4-1 on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at Grand Casino Arena for its fourth victory in five games.
Forward Britta Curl-Salemme had two goals for the two-time defending Walter Cup champions, while rookie defender Kendall Cooper scored her first career goal.
Forward Kelly Pannek had a goal in her fourth consecutive game for Minnesota (7-2-3-3). Maddie Rooney finished with 31 saves in her third straight win to improve to 4-3-1 on the season.
“I wasn’t happy where I started the season,” Rooney said after the win. “[Coach Ken Klee] says it was goal support. I take some of that on my shoulders too, but these past few games — as he alluded to — it’s easier to play when we get up three goals like today. I think it’s having that confidence in myself and knowing that it’s going to be a long season. There’s going to be ups and downs, and just having confidence in my team, as they do in me.”
Forward Michelle Karvinen scored a goal for Vancouver (5-1-2-8). Kristen Campbell, who had allowed three goals in her last three starts combined, had 18 saves.
Cooper secured a loose puck and flicked a wrister over the glove-side shoulder of Campbell to open the scoring less than five minutes into the game. Curl-Salemme scored on a one-timer from the point with 2:53 left in the first period, and Pannek scored on a power play just before the buzzer to make it 3-0 going into the first intermission.
