The Minnesota Frost hosted the Toronto Sceptres for Game 4 of Round 1 on Wednesday evening, May 14. The Frost looked to eliminate the Sceptres with a win, while the Sceptres looked to keep their season alive. The only change to the roster was actually the same on both sides, and that was goaltending. In the past two games, it was Maddie Rooney for the Frost against Kristen Campbell for the Sceptres. In Game 4, it was Nicole Hensley in for the Frost and Carly Jackson in for the Sceptres.
The game started out tilted in favor of the Sceptres, but the Frost pushed back after trailing in both the first and second periods; they went into the third tied 2-2. Each team had a goal in the third, and overtime was needed for a winner. The Frost’s star Taylor Heise scored, secured the 4-3 win, and their spot in the Walter Cup Final. In this article, we’ll look at how they did it, starting with their goaltender, Hensley.
Frost’s Hensley Shows Her Talents
After the Frost’s loss in Game 1, and Rooney playing Games 2 and 3, Hensley was ready for Game 4. The first goal against was one she’d want back as it was on a breakaway, and Julia Gosling snuck it in through the five-hole. However, some of that blame is on her teammates on the ice, who allowed Gosling to get through. The second goal against her was a shot she couldn’t see and react to until too late.
Regardless, Hensley stood tall through the entire game and made the big saves that kept her team in it and gave them the chance to tie it up going into the third. She made a lot of strong glove saves but also some big leg saves that looked like they should’ve gone in. Without Hensley, the Sceptres likely could’ve made it 3-0 or even 4-0.
She continued to get better through the game even after letting a goal slip by in the third. Then, in overtime, she saved the game multiple times and helped her team earn the win. Hopefully, she can keep up the strong play as it’s likely the Frost will continue to put her in the net in the Walter Cup Final.
“She played outstanding, she was a difference maker for us….the coaches all talked and she had played really well in the last two games of the year to get us into the playoffs and then she played well in the Game 1 in Toronto. We started slow, we spotted three goals and then we started coming back and made it 3-2 but just couldn’t get over the hump and it certainly wasn’t anything because of her so and then it was…
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