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CBS News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Minnesota Frost celebrate second Walter Cup victory in St. Paul
Frost players and fans paraded through Saint Paul Wednesday evening to celebrate their Walter Cup victory. Cheers and chanting, and a side of gratitude. "It's awesome. The state of Minnesota's always behind us. We're just excited to share it with them for the second time," said Frost goalie Nicole Hensley. "We have the best fans in the league. They showed out in all of our home games this season," said Frost defender Claire Thompson. "I grew up playing hockey. I've been playing my whole life. When they won, winning the cup two times in a row I was like *gasp*," said Anna Franco of Detroit Lakes. "We're super excited about this. The Walter Cup is officially a Saint Paul resident. No other city has one. We've got two," said Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter. It's the second Walter Cup awarded since the PWHL began in 2023. Both times to the Minnesota Frost. Wednesday's rain didn't stop the downtown march, which ended in a celebratory ceremony at the Xcel Energy Center. "Lets go frost! Lets frost 'em over again next year and the year after that," said Natalie Ernst of Richfield. The 2025 PWHL draft will be on June 24, 2025 in Ottawa.
National Post
08-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Sceptres look like old hands at playoff pressure in Game 1 win
It was by no means a perfect start to the Toronto Sceptres' second chase of the Walter Cup, but it was the start they needed. Article content Article content The Sceptres got off to a quick start on Wednesday night, scoring first and then adding two more before the Frost even got on the board in an eventual 3-2 win by the home side in its best-of-five semifinal with the visiting Minnesota Frost. Article content Again, turning a 3-0 lead into a nailbiter wasn't exactly ideal, but the result was the one the Sceptres came looking for, and the one they got. Article content If there was one lesson the Sceptres learned from their five-game semifinal series loss a year ago to this same Frost team, it was handling the momentum swings of a series. Article content Last year, they got up 2-0, and while the series-ending injury to Natalie Spooner certainly played a role, there was a feeling the Sceptres just didn't handle things well when Minnesota started to get a little confidence. Article content There were plenty of momentum changes on Wednesday in Game 1, but each time the Sceptres were challenged, they found an answer. Article content Minnesota got to within a goal on rookie Katie Knoll's first playoff goal 2:33 into the third period. Rather than fold into a defensive shell trying to hold the Frost off, the Sceptres went on the offensive, generating a number of quality scoring chances that forced Frost goaltender Nicole Hensley to be at the top of her game. Article content Toronto temporarily took control of the game in the second period, largely on the sniper skills of Julia Gosling. Article content Gosling was already having an eventful week before she put two pucks behind Hensley in the second frame to put Toronto up 3-0. Article content Article content On Monday, in the Sceptres' second-to-last practice before the playoffs began, Gosling lost an edge going into a corner and had to be helped from the ice. Article content Article content Initially, team medical suggested she would be fine for practice the following day (Tuesday) but that decision changed Tuesday morning as the Sceptres staff opted to err on the side of caution and kept Gosling out of practice. Article content Gosling got her first PWHL playoff goal picking off an attempted clearing pass at the Minnesota blue line. Her first shot was rejected, but the rebound popped right back to her and Gosling made good on the second attempt for a 2-0 Toronto lead. Article content Gosling's second goal was a little more traditional. It came on a Toronto power play with Hannah Miller dropping the puck back for Gosling, who picked a corner and beat Hensley clean. Article content The second period also saw the Frost get on the board and then promptly lose their only goal-scorer. Article content The ever-controversial Britta Curl-Salemme banged home a rebound on the power play to cut Toronto's lead to two goals, but minutes late got her elbow up on Renata Fast as she tried to rub her out along the boards. After a league video review, Curl-Salemme was charged with a five-minute major and ejected from the game.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Defending PWHL champion Minnesota opens playoffs in rematch vs. Toronto; Montreal faces Ottawa
Toronto Sceptres' Sarah Nurse (20) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against the Ottawa Charge during the second period of a PWHL hockey game in Toronto, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press via AP) Ottawa Charge's Brianne Jenner (19) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against the Toronto Sceptres during the secoond period of a PWHL hockey game in Toronto, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press via AP) Montreal Victoire's Ann-Renee Desbiens (35) watches the puck as Boston Fleet's Lexie Adzija (88) and Victoire's Amanda Boulier (44) battle for it during first-period PWHL hockey game action in Laval, Quebec, Monday, April 28, 2025. (Peter McCabe/The Canadian Press via AP) Players race to congratulate Minnesota Frost goalie Nicole Hensley (29) on her shutout as they defeat the Ottawa Charge in PWHL action, Wednesday, April 30, 2025 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP) Players race to congratulate Minnesota Frost goalie Nicole Hensley (29) on her shutout as they defeat the Ottawa Charge in PWHL action, Wednesday, April 30, 2025 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP) Toronto Sceptres' Sarah Nurse (20) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against the Ottawa Charge during the second period of a PWHL hockey game in Toronto, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press via AP) Ottawa Charge's Brianne Jenner (19) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against the Toronto Sceptres during the secoond period of a PWHL hockey game in Toronto, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press via AP) Montreal Victoire's Ann-Renee Desbiens (35) watches the puck as Boston Fleet's Lexie Adzija (88) and Victoire's Amanda Boulier (44) battle for it during first-period PWHL hockey game action in Laval, Quebec, Monday, April 28, 2025. (Peter McCabe/The Canadian Press via AP) Players race to congratulate Minnesota Frost goalie Nicole Hensley (29) on her shutout as they defeat the Ottawa Charge in PWHL action, Wednesday, April 30, 2025 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP) Feelings of relief quickly gave way to pride as Kendall Coyne Schofield assessed how the defending Walter Cup champion Minnesota Frost refused to let their PWHL season end with a whimper. The Frost earned a return to the postseason by winning their final two games to clinch the fourth and final playoff berth by the slimmest of margins in a race Minnesota, Ottawa and Boston — the odd-team out by tiebreaker — finished with 44 points apiece. Advertisement For Coyne Schofield, Minnesota's closing flourish, capped by an 8-1 win at Boston on Saturday, was a reflection of the championship resolve the Frost showed in winning two decisive Game 5s to take the inaugural title. 'We needed to win two games in regulation to get to where we're at today, and we did that,' Coyne Schofield said. 'So I think when I look back to last year, it's just how hard it is to win a five-game series. And to do it twice, I think that for me was unique in itself.' The Frost have the championship pedigree entering their semifinal series rematch against Toronto opening on Wednesday. The Sceptres as well as the Montreal Victoire, who open against Ottawa on Thursday, carry over the weight of unfinished business following semifinal series losses last year. And welcome the Charge to the postseason after clinching their first playoff spot on Katerina Mrazova's overtime goal on the last day of the regular season. Advertisement As if there wasn't enough intrigue, the regular-season champion Victoire added another subplot in opting to face third-seeded and regional rival Ottawa rather than the Frost. 'I think there's a lot of spice already. I don't know if we needed more motivation,' Charge captain Brianne Jenner said. 'Yeah, I think it maybe adds a little chip on our shoulder.' The Victoire reached their decision by consulting with staff and players. One determining factor was geography with Ottawa a mere two-hour drive as opposed to a two-plus-hour flight to St. Paul. Last year's playoffs proved seedings don't matter. Both lower seeds won their semifinal series, with fourth-seeded Minnesota defeating Boston for the title. Advertisement What stands out in Montreal are the difficult memories of last year's playoffs, in which Boston swept the semis by winning all three games decided in overtime. 'We can talk about last year all we want. Honestly, it was a lesson for all of us,' Montreal captain Marie-Philip Poulin said. 'Series are hard and that was hard last year. It's going to be harder even this year.' There's a similar lament in Toronto, with the Sceptres cognizant of how they squandered a 2-0 series lead to Minnesota, which coincided with losing leading scorer and eventual league MVP Natalie Spooner to a knee injury. 'Losing to Minnesota last year in five games is part of what motivated me and makes me even more excited to get this series started,' Toronto captain Blayre Turnbull said. Advertisement Montreal vs. Ottawa Montreal won the season series 4-2, but lost the final two meetings, including a 3-2 loss on April 26. The Victoire feature the PWHL's leading goal-scorer in Poulin (19 goals) and top goalie in Ann-Renee Desbiens, who led the league in wins (15-2-2), a 1.86 goals-against average and .932 save percentage. They also allowed the fewest goals (67), while going 14-2-1 in one-goal games. Montreal was the first team to clinch a playoff berth, but didn't secure first place until Toronto's 2-1 OT loss to Ottawa on Saturday. Ottawa went 4-1 to close the season, and did so without starting goalie Emerance Maschmeyer, who remains sidelined by a lower body injury sustained mid-March. Rookie Gwyneth Philips went 5-3 down the stretch, including a 4-1 closing run in which she allowed just six goals. Advertisement The Charge rely on balanced scoring, and were led by Tereza Vanisova, who had 15 goals, including four game-winners, and 22 points. Ottawa finished tied for last with 71 goals for, and tied for last with 80 goals against. Toronto vs. Minnesota The Sceptres went 2-2-2 against the Frost, including a 5-2 loss in their most recent meeting on March 30. Toronto still finished second in the standings while overcoming injuries to Spooner, Sarah Nurse and Hannah Miller. The injuries led to others stepping up with Daryl Watts leading the team with 12 goals and 27 points. Blueliner Renata Fast continued making her case as one of the PWHL's best defenders with six goals and 22 points while leading all skaters with 739:14 of ice time. Advertisement The Sceptres finished fifth with 73 goals scored, 24 coming on their league-leading power play, which converted 26% of its opportunities. Minnesota closed the season by winning three of four, and was led by Coyne Schofield's 12 goals and 24 points. The Frost led the league with 85 goals, and have a solid D-core that includes offensive-minded Sophie Jaques and Claire Thompson, and a shutdown defender in Lee Stecklein. As last year, coach Ken Klee split the goaltending duties with Maddie Rooney going 8-7-3 and Nicole Hensley finishing 7-3-1. After closing with two road games, Minnesota elected to stay in Boston in awaiting its semifinal opponent. ___ AP Women's Hockey:
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chance to clinch a PWHL playoff spot eludes Ottawa Charge in shutout loss to Minnesota Frost
The Ottawa Charge had a chance to clinch its first ever playoff spot Wednesday night at TD Place but instead will now have to do things the hard way. In the last game of the season. In Toronto, where Ottawa's playoff hopes crashed and burned in the regular-season finale last season. Potentially, mere hours before the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs could potentially play a Game 7 a few minutes down the road in their Stanley Cup playoff showdown. In front of 5,494 fans, the Charge had a three-game winning streak halted in a 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Frost. With the regulation time win, the Frost (9-5-4-11) has 41 points, one behind the Charge (12-1-4-12) in the race for the last playoff spot. The Charge plays its final game Saturday against the Scepters at noon, while Minnesota concludes its regular-season schedule that same afternoon with a 1 p.m. start in Boston. A win by Ottawa, whether in regulation time or OT, would lock up a post-season berth for the Charge, which owns the first tiebreaker (regulation wins) against the Frost. Ottawa has won two of five games against Toronto this season while the Frost is 4-1 against Boston. While Nicole Hensley posted the shutout for Minnesota on Wednesday, Gwyneth Philips was sharp in the Charge goal while stopping the first 23 shots she faced. The Charge outshot the Frost 9-7 in a scoreless first period before Minnesota took over with the better chances in the second while outshooting the homeside 17-9. Kendall Coyne Schofield finally broke the ice at the 18:43 mark with a shot from the high slot past two Ottawa defenders and between Philips' pads. It was Schofield's 11th goal of the season and 17th of her career, but only her second against Ottawa. Lee Stecklein padded the visitors' lead at 5:38 with a wrist shot from the point that beat Philips high on the glove side. The Charge pulled Philips in favour of an extra attacker with two minutes to go, and Stecklein sealed the win with an empty netter 34 seconds from the buzzer.
National Post
01-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Chance to clinch a PWHL playoff spot eludes Ottawa Charge in shutout loss to Minnesota Frost
The Ottawa Charge had a chance to clinch its first ever playoff spot Wednesday night at TD Place but instead will now have to do things the hard way. Article content Article content In the last game of the season. Article content In Toronto, where Ottawa's playoff hopes crashed and burned in the regular-season finale last season. Article content Potentially, mere hours before the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs could potentially play a Game 7 a few minutes down the road in their Stanley Cup playoff showdown. Article content In front of 5,494 fans, the Charge had a three-game winning streak halted in a 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Frost. With the regulation time win, the Frost (9-5-4-11) has 41 points, one behind the Charge (12-1-4-12) in the race for the last playoff spot. Article content The Charge plays its final game Saturday against the Scepters at noon, while Minnesota concludes its regular-season schedule that same afternoon with a 1 p.m. start in Boston. Article content A win by Ottawa, whether in regulation time or OT, would lock up a post-season berth for the Charge, which owns the first tiebreaker (regulation wins) against the Frost. Article content Ottawa has won two of five games against Toronto this season while the Frost is 4-1 against Boston. Article content Article content While Nicole Hensley posted the shutout for Minnesota on Wednesday, Gwyneth Philips was sharp in the Charge goal while stopping the first 23 shots she faced. The Charge outshot the Frost 9-7 in a scoreless first period before Minnesota took over with the better chances in the second while outshooting the homeside 17-9. Article content Kendall Coyne Schofield finally broke the ice at the 18:43 mark with a shot from the high slot past two Ottawa defenders and between Philips' pads. Article content It was Schofield's 11th goal of the season and 17th of her career, but only her second against Ottawa. Article content
