Jaques scores twice and Hensley posts a shutout as Minnesota tops Boston 3-0 to even PWHL finals

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Minnesota celebrates their win over Boston at the end of Game 2 of a PWHL hockey championship series, Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Lowell, Mass. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)

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Minnesota forward Brooke Bryant (17) hugs goalie Nicole Hensley after defeating Boston in Game 2 of a PWHL hockey championship series, Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Lowell, Mass. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)

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Game officials break up a scuffle between Minnesota players including goalie Nicole Hensley (29) and Boston players, including Boston forward Hannah Brandt (20) during the third period of Game 2 of a PWHL hockey championship series, Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Lowell, Mass. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)

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Boston forward Jamie Lee Rattray, right, defends the puck from Minnesota forward Michela Cava, left, during the third period of Game 2 of a PWHL hockey championship series, Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Lowell, Mass. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)

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Boston forward Theresa Schafzahl (37) and Minnesota forward Kendall Coyle Schofield (26) stumble chasing the puck during the third period of Game 2 of a PWHL hockey championship series, Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Lowell, Mass. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)

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Minnesota forward Claire Butorac (7) and Boston forward Sophie Shirley (9) go to the boards chasing the puck during the third period of Game 2 of a PWHL hockey championship series, Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Lowell, Mass. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)

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Boston defender Kaleigh Fratkin (13) and Minnesota forward Kendall Coyle Schofield (26) chase the puck along the boars during the third period of Game 2 of a PWHL hockey championship series, Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Lowell, Mass. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)

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Boston goalie Aerie Frankel (31) stops the puck during the third period of Game 2 of a PWHL hockey championship series against Minnesota, Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Lowell, Mass. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)

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The puck flies into an unattended Boston net for a goal by Minnesota defender Sophie Jaques during the third period of Game 2 of a PWHL hockey championship series, Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Lowell, Mass. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)

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Minnesota forward Clair DeGeorge, left, and Boston forward Hilary Knight, right, chase the puck during the second period of Game 2 of a PWHL hockey championship series, Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Lowell, Mass. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)

LOWELL, Mass. (AP) — Michela Cava and Sophie Jaques scored less than two minutes apart late in the first period and Minnesota beat Boston 3-0 on Tuesday night to even the PWHL championship series at a game apiece.

Nicole Hensley made 20 saves in relief of Maddie Rooney, who was in net the previous five games, two of them shutouts.

“It feels amazing (to get the shutout),” Hensley said. “Obviously Maddie has been carrying our team, it’s nice to be able to help out our team and give her a little break. It’s huge to get a split on the road, that’s what you’re looking to do in the playoffs. I’m excited to get back to Minnesota and our fans.”

The Walter Cup series moves to Minnesota for the next two games, the first on Friday night.

Cava opened the scoring at 14:25 with her second playoff goal. That was quickly followed by Jaques skating in from the point before letting a wrist shot fly from the faceoff circle to beat Aerin Frankel at 16:21.

Jaques added an empty-netter with 2 1/2 minutes left as Minnesota ended Boston’s streak of six-straight wins and 12-straight one-goal games, including four in the playoffs.

Frankel made 20 saves.

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AP hockey: https://apnews.com/hub/hockey