ST. PAUL (Interstat) — Sidney Morin scored two third-period goals and Maddie Rooney made 29 saves as Minnesota Frost defeated Montreal Victoire 3-1 on May 8 at Grand Casino Arena, tying their Professional Women’s Hockey League playoff series at 2-2. The home victory in Game 4 came after Montreal had won the previous two games, including a triple-overtime decision in Game 2 and a 2-1 win in Game 3. Minnesota improved to 18-16 this season, while Montreal is now 24-10. Morin was Minnesota’s top star, and Rooney earned the win in net.

Montreal struck first in the third period. At 1:13, Maureen Murphy scored for the Victoire, with Hayley Scamurra assisting. The goal gave Montreal a 1-0 lead and briefly quieted the home crowd. Murphy finished with one goal on three shots, while Scamurra recorded one assist and one shot. The Victoire had a chance to build on the lead, but Minnesota tightened defensively and limited Montreal’s chances after the opening goal. Montreal’s early push in the third period produced the only goal of the game for the visitors.

Minnesota answered midway through the third. Sidney Morin tied the game at 8:05, scoring off assists from Britta Curl-Salemme and Samantha Cogan. Morin then put the Frost ahead at 12:01, converting a feed from Mae Batherson and Kelly Pannek. The go-ahead goal came shortly after Montreal’s Laura Stacey was sent off for roughing at 10:44. Morin finished with two goals on six shots on goal. Her first goal changed the momentum, and her second gave Minnesota a lead it did not surrender. The Frost’s top star delivered in the biggest moments of the third period.

Pannek added insurance at 18:43, scoring with assists from Batherson and Rooney. Pannek ended with one goal, one assist and one shot on goal. Batherson recorded two assists and two shots on goal. Rooney earned the win with 29 saves on 30 shots, keeping Montreal from finding an equalizer during a frantic final stretch. The Frost defense held firm after taking the lead, blocking lanes and clearing rebounds. Minnesota’s goaltender was steady throughout, and her assist on Pannek’s goal capped a strong all-around performance.

Montreal took four minor penalties. Abby Roque was called for tripping at 5:12 of the second period. Laura Stacey received a roughing minor at 10:44 of the third. Amanda Boulier was penalized for roughing at 19 minutes of the first period. Maggie Flaherty was called for delay of game at 19:07 of the third. Minnesota was assessed two minor penalties. Samantha Cogan was called for boarding at 13:12 of the first period, and Abby Hustler received a roughing minor at 19 minutes of the first. Minnesota’s penalty kill finished the game without allowing a Montreal power-play goal.

Curl-Salemme added one assist and three hits for Minnesota. Cogan contributed one assist, two shots on goal, two penalty minutes and one hit. Lee Stecklein recorded one shot on goal and one hit. Grace Zumwinkle put four shots on goal for the Frost. For Montreal, Murphy had three shots on goal and Scamurra had one shot to go with her assist. The Victoire pressured late, but Rooney and the Frost defense protected the two-goal cushion.

The series shifts to Montreal for Game 5. The Victoire will host the Frost next, with the series level at 2-2. Montreal will look to regain control after splitting the first two games on home ice and splitting the next two in Saint Paul. Minnesota will try to carry the momentum from its Game 4 win into the next game.

Interstat’s ELO system had projected Montreal with a 52.9 percent probability to win.