This week in the PWHL: Toronto undefeated in February, Minnesota's Jaques hits her stride

In her first seven professional games moving up and down the PWHL Boston lineup, Sophie Jaques failed to register a point.

But it's been a whole different story for the rookie defender after a trade to Minnesota, where she fits in seamlessly beside one of the best defenders in the league in Lee Stecklein.

On Tuesday night, in a game celebrating Black History Month, Jaques put up what felt like a statement game. She scored her first career PWHL goal when she backhanded a puck over Toronto goaltender Kristen Campbell's pad.

With less than 30 seconds left in the game, she scored a second goal to force extra time, salvaging a point in the 4-3 overtime loss to Toronto.

Over five games in purple, Jaques has put up three points and is quarterbacking a power play unit, showing the offensive talent that earned her the Patty Kazmaier Award as the best player in college hockey last season with Ohio State University.

WATCH l Jaques talks about her first PWHL season on Hockey North:

She played 25 minutes on Tuesday against Toronto, more than anyone else on Minnesota except Stecklein, a sure sign of head coach Ken Klee's trust in her work.

While Jaques had a stellar game on Tuesday, it was Toronto forward Sarah Nurse's second goal of the night that held up as the winner.

After a shaky start in January, Toronto has finished February unbeaten.

While head coach Troy Ryan didn't like his team's play on Tuesday, he has to be happy with the overall picture in February. Three of the five wins have come in regulation, earning precious points in a league where so many games are decided by one goal. 

As of Friday, Toronto sits in third place with 21 points, one point behind Minnesota with a game in hand. Minnesota has lost three in a row.

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