Rooney stops 19 shots to lead Minnesota Frost to 3-1 win over Vancouver Goldeneyes

Minnesota Frost goaltender Maddie Rooney (35) stops the puck against the Vancouver Goldeneyes during third period PWHL hockey action in Vancouver on Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Ethan Cairns / The Canadian Press)

VANCOUVER — Maddie Rooney stopped 19 shots to lead the Minnesota Frost to a 3-1 win over the Vancouver Goldeneyes in Professional Women’s Hockey League action Saturday.

Rooney entered the game with a 1.98 goals-against average, the league’s fourth-best mark.

The Frost (11-3-3-4, 42 points) has won five straight and moved atop the PWHL standings, three points ahead of Boston and the Montreal Victoire. But the Fleet takes on Seattle also Saturday.

Natalie Buchbinder’s first goal of the season at 5:58 of the first period opened the scoring. It came with six seconds remaining in the Frost’s first power play of the game.

The Frost made it 2-0 with 30 seconds left in the second, again, on the power play. Kelly Pannek scored her league-leading 12th goal of the season.

Britta Curl-Salemme’s empty-net goal sealed the win, her ninth of the season.

Penalties told a story as both teams had a combined eight power-play opportunities. Vancouver failed to score on three extra-player chances.

The Goldeneyes fell to 6-1-4-10 and have lost four of their last five games. Kristen Campbell made 20 saves.

Takeaways

Frost: With Pannek’s 13th goal and Curl-Salemme’s 22nd point of the season, the top goal-scorer, points leader (Heise with 15) and assists player in the PWHL are all with the Frost.

Goldeneyes: Outshot by Minnesota 23-20 … Marked the 11th game of scoring one goal or being shut out this season.

Key moment

Rooney made two back-back saves on a Vancouver power-play in the third period to deny an equalizer and secure the win.

Key stat

The game was controlled by goaltending and neutral-zone puck management … Both teams combined for 43 shots on goal.

Up next

Frost: Host the Montreal Victoire on Wednesday.

Goldeneyes: Travel to Boston to take on the Fleet on Wednesday.

This report by Rois Chand of The Canadian Press was first published March 21, 2026.