ST PAUL, Minn. — It appeared over.
Taylor Heise, Minnesota's top pick, carried the puck toward the net and snuck a pass to teammate Sophie Jaques, who fired a shot past Boston goalie Aerin Frankel for the game winner. As confetti began to fall, the double-overtime tally was reviewed and eventually overturned, prompting boos from Sunday's record crowd of 13,104 at the Xcel Energy Center.
Exactly one minute later, Alina Muller scored for Boston and extended the first Professional Women's Hockey League championship to a decisive fifth game.
"It's tough," said Minnesota coach Ken Klee following the Game 4 loss. "... When you see the replay, and you slow it down, (Heise) definitely loses an edge. It's tough to tell if it's from Boston's player's stick or is she just losing an edge. It's just one of those things that happens."
As Minnesota's emotions went from happiness to heartbreak, the team still has a chance to become the league's first-ever champions Wednesday in Boston.
"The message is to learn from it and turn the page," said Minnesota forward Kendall Coyne Schofield. "Be ready to go come Wednesday night and do what you need to do. There's no secrets."
While Boston won back home-ice advantage, Minnesota has its own edge after playing — and winning — in five games in the previous series.
Minnesota climbed out of a 2-0 hole in the opening round of the postseason to take down top-seeded Toronto earlier this month. And like Wednesday's game to decide the Walter Cup, Minnesota's opening-round clincher came on the road.
"So much credit and love for our fans here in the State of Hockey," said Coyne Schofield. "It was an awesome, awesome atmosphere (Sunday). ... We know they'll be cheering on Wednesday from (Minnesota)."
The final puck drop of the PWHL's inaugural season is slated for 7 p.m. at the Tsongas Center.
"The last one to win is the hardest one," said Coyne Schofield. "That's the reality for anything."
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