In front of a roaring crowd of 11,024 at the Xcel Energy Center, the Minnesota Frost cemented their dynasty status on Monday night, capturing their second straight Walter Cup title with a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory over the Ottawa Charge. For the first time in franchise history, they lifted the trophy on home ice — a moment years in the making and laden with redemption.
A Championship Earned, Not Given
Minnesota’s road to glory in the 2025 PWHL Finals was anything but smooth. Entering the postseason as the league’s fourth and final seed, the Frost were on the verge of elimination in the regular season’s final stretch. Back-to-back must-win games secured their playoff berth. From there, they surged past the top-seeded Toronto squad in a high-scoring semifinal before switching gears to win a gritty, defense-first championship series against Ottawa.
This adaptability and resilience defined Minnesota’s playoff run — a theme echoed by their captain, Lee Stecklein. “You can have an awesome team and not win at all,” she reflected. “To be able to do that again is really incredible. It’s a hard road, so to be able to do it twice is really special.”
The Redemption of Home Ice
Last season, Minnesota had hoped to win the inaugural Walter Cup on home ice, only to see their Game 4 victory nullified by an overturned overtime goal. They eventually won the title on the road, but the moment felt incomplete. Monday night’s result, however, healed that wound.
“Doing this at home would be life-altering,” star forward Taylor Heise said just a day earlier. And it was.
From the first puck drop to the final horn, the energy inside the Xcel Energy Center was electric. Andover native and 2018 Olympic gold medalist Maddie Rooney stood tall in goal, delivering a masterclass with 33 saves — her fifth straight postseason win. “This is definitely going to be one of my favorite moments in my hockey career,” Rooney said, visibly emotional after the win.
Ironically, the playoff MVP honor went to Ottawa’s rookie sensation Gwyneth Philips, whose phenomenal play kept the series closer than it had any right to be. The two netminders combined for 64 saves in Game 4 alone, a fitting capstone to what became a showcase of elite goaltending.
Role Players Rise to the Moment
Though star power loomed on both rosters — including names like Kendall Coyne Schofield, Grace Zumwinkle, and Tereza Vanišová — the 2025 Finals belonged to the grinders, the overlooked, and the underrated.
Kelly Pannek, one of the Frost’s most consistent two-way players, finally broke through to give Minnesota its first lead of the series midway through the second period. Set up by a slick cutback move from Claire Thompson, Pannek’s goal was a clinical finish that lifted the team’s confidence.
“She’s just in the right spot at every moment,” Stecklein noted. “She is an incredible player and definitely someone who does not get the recognition I think she deserves.”
Ottawa’s Vanišová would tie the game in the third, snapping a cold streak with a much-needed goal to force the fourth consecutive overtime game of the series — each of which ended with a 2-1 scoreline.
The “Blue Line” Delivers Again
While the spotlight typically shines on top lines, Minnesota’s so-called “blue line” — coach Ken Klee's color-coded fourth line — once again delivered when it mattered most. Liz Schepers, who also scored the championship-winning goal last year, buried the overtime dagger 12 minutes into the extra frame. Her linemates, Katy Knoll and Klára Hymlárová, were similarly instrumental, combining grit and poise in the postseason’s biggest moments.
“They’re dogs,” said Thompson. “They work so hard and they came up huge in the playoffs.”
Coyne Schofield put it even more bluntly: “That’s a gamer right there, if you ask me.”
Schepers’ second consecutive championship-winner solidified her legacy as one of the most clutch players in the young history of the PWHL — and raised eyebrows about how coaches and fans define “depth” in a championship roster.
A League Defined by Parity and Progress
The PWHL’s second season has been characterized by fierce parity, emerging rivalries, and increasing fan support. The Frost’s improbable title run as the lowest seed, coupled with sold-out playoff arenas and edge-of-your-seat overtimes, exemplifies the league’s rapid maturation.
Just two years in, the Walter Cup has already produced storylines worthy of professional hockey lore. From controversial overturned goals to redemption arcs and star turns by role players, the PWHL is proving itself not just as a proving ground for elite women’s hockey — but as must-watch hockey, period.
What Comes Next?
As Minnesota celebrates its championship, questions naturally arise about what lies ahead. Can the Frost sustain this level of excellence? Will Ottawa return stronger with Philips between the pipes and Vanišová rediscovering her scoring form? What new talent will emerge as the league grows?
Regardless of the answers, one thing is certain: the PWHL is carving out a permanent place in the hockey world — and Minnesota, once again, stands at its summit.
Editor’s Note:
With expansion rumors swirling and ratings climbing, the PWHL's third season could be its biggest yet. For now, though, the Frost reign supreme — not just as champions, but as proof that heart, hustle, and home-ice magic still mean everything in sports.
Follow us — @undraftedus
A better brand, built by Vaughn & Co. ©