Lee Stecklein, a defender for the Minnesota Frost, had an impressive performance with two goals and three points in a 5-3 victory against the Toronto Sceptres on Friday. Sophie Jacques scored the game-winning goal with 6:13 left in the third period, helping Minnesota even the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) first-round series at 1-1.

Stecklein's offensive surge comes after winning her seventh IIHF World Women's Championship gold medal last month, where the U.S. team defeated Canada 4-3 in overtime. She has accumulated four points in the first two games of the series and scored three goals in Minnesota's final two regular-season games, which helped the Frost secure a playoff spot. According to Stecklein, the presence of other offensive threats on the team creates opportunities for her to capitalize on.

In Friday's game, Stecklein tied the score early in the second period with a redirect of Kelly Pannek's pass. Later, she scored again with a point shot, putting Minnesota ahead 3-1. Coach Ken Klee praised Stecklein's outstanding performance, noting her defensive skills and her ability to contribute offensively during the playoffs.

Stecklein and her defensive partner, Claire Thompson, played significant minutes, leading all players with over 27 minutes of ice time. Klee emphasized their ability to handle key situations and their desire to be on the ice during crucial moments.

Looking ahead, the best-of-five series will move to Minnesota for Games 3 and 4 on Sunday and Wednesday, respectively. Toronto hopes to rebound after losing Game 2, with forward Emma Maltais expressing confidence in the team's experience and ability to learn from their mistakes. She emphasized the importance of maintaining a sense of calmness and approaching the next game with confidence.

The game was attended by 7,659 fans at the Coca-Cola Coliseum, including tennis legend Billie Jean King, who received a standing ovation for her role in launching the PWHL last year.