Huge early hole too much for Sceptres to overcome in Game 3 loss

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A nightmare start to Game 3 of their PWHL semifinal was just too much to overcome for a Toronto Sceptres team that fought back multiple times only to see the Frost pull away for a 7-5 win in the highest-scoring game in PWHL history.

With the win, Minnesota takes a 2-1 lead in the series and is now a win away from a second consecutive birth in the Walter Cup which they won a year ago. Toronto, meanwhile, is facing a second consecutive semiA$final elimination by the same Frost.

Minnesota put itself well on its way to a second consecutive win in the series with three goals in the first 7:48 of the game.

The goals, which came on just five shots, were exactly the scenario the Sceptres were hoping to avoid. It’s no longer just the early goals the Sceptres are trying to avoid allowing, but the hope was Kristen Campbell would rediscover her game after a couple of shaky goals in the final minutes of Game 2 helped Minnesota get back on even terms in the series.

Instead, Campbell’s confidence was tested again. Campbell eventually gave up seven goals on just 24 shots.

Toronto will now be in a must-win situation Wednesday when the two teams square off in Game 4 again on Frost ice.

If there was optimism for extending this series, it came in Toronto’s refusal to given in despite large deficits. Twice, the Sceptres came back from three-goal deficits to get within a goal, but each time Minnesota kept them from coming all the way back.

Michela Cava’s two goals in the third period, one five-on-five, the other on the power play, were the difference. Also scoring twice for the Frost was Brooke McQuigge.

Toronto got goals from Daryl Watts, Maggie Connors, Kali Flanagan, Anna Kjellbin and captain Blayre Turnbull.

Minnesota’s Lee Stecklein popped in her third of the series on a nice pinch in from the blue line, while fellow blue-liner Sophie Jaques added her second of the series.

mganter@postmedia.com