Minnesota Defends Their Championship
The Minnesota Frost secured their second consecutive Walter Cup with a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory over the Ottawa Charge in Game 4, clinching the best-of-five series 3-1. Entering the PWHL Playoffs as the fourth seed, Minnesota once again found themselves battling through adversity, securing a postseason berth on the final day of the regular season. After dropping Game 1 in both the semifinals (vs. Toronto) and Finals (vs. Ottawa), the Frost rallied to win three straight in both series.
The Walter Cup presentation featured Kimbra Walter, PWHL Advisory Board members Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss, and PWHL Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Jayna Hefford handing the trophy to captain Kendall Coyne Schofield.
Minnesota Frost Championship Celebration
Fans are invited to celebrate the Frost’s Walter Cup victory at Xcel Energy Center on Wednesday, May 28, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. CT. The free event includes a live DJ, interactive games, and photo opportunities with the Walter Cup. Stay updated via the Frost’s social media channels.
Record-Setting Attendance
Game 4 delivered a playoff-high crowd of 11,024, bringing total attendance for the four-game Finals to 33,512. The 2025 PWHL Finals averaged 8,378 per game, marking an 11.6% increase from 2024.
Total Season Attendance:
- 102 games (90 regular season, 12 playoffs): 737,455
- All-time PWHL attendance through two full seasons: 1,220,985
Unprecedented Overtime Drama
Every game in the 2025 PWHL Finals ended in 2-1 overtime, leading to an additional 81 minutes of extra hockey. Only three times in NHL history has a series included four or more consecutive overtime games, and just once in the Stanley Cup Finals (1951).
Overtime & One-Goal Games in the 2025 Playoffs:
- Six overtime contests
- Ten one-goal games out of 12 total playoff matchups
Gwyneth Philips Named Playoff MVP
Despite Ottawa falling short, rookie goaltender Gwyneth Philips earned the Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP Award, marking the first time a netminder and a member of the losing team received the honor.
Philips’ Playoff Performance:
- 1.23 GAA .952 SV% (best among all playoff goaltenders)
- 4-0 record in regulation
- One shutout
- Allowed more than two goals only once
Philips accepted the award during the postgame ceremony, presented by Kloss, along with Stan Kasten, Royce Cohen, and Amy Scheer from the PWHL Advisory Board and Executive Leadership.
Captains Reflect on the Finals
“It’s hard to put into words… It’s a long season, and it’s hard to win back-to-back. But I’m so proud of this group. Winning takes everybody, and that was true last year, and this year was no different.” – Kendall Coyne Schofield, Minnesota Frost Captain
“This was a special group. We went through a lot this season and showed a ton of resilience. It’s going to sting for a while, but I’m really proud of this team.” – Brianne Jenner, Ottawa Charge Captain
Historic Contributions to the Hockey Hall of Fame
Following Game 4, the Hockey Hall of Fame added several pieces of Walter Cup-winning memorabilia, including:
- Coyne Schofield’s jersey
- Liz Schepers’ game-winning goal stick
- Katy Knoll’s helmet
- Britta Curl-Salemme’s gloves
- Grace Zumwinkle’s skates
Alongside equipment, the Hall welcomed championship towels, neck chains, champagne bottles, and corks from the postgame celebration.
Finals Stat Leaders & Key Moments
Schepers Delivers Back-to-Back Championship-Winning Goals
Minnesota forward Liz Schepers sealed the 2025 title with her second consecutive championship-winning goal, having secured the 2024 Walter Cup in Game 5 against Boston.
Stecklein Leads All Playoff Scorers
Minnesota defenseman Lee Stecklein became the first blueliner in PWHL playoff history to lead all skaters in scoring with eight points (4G, 4A) in eight games.
Minnesota’s Defensive Dominance
The Frost’s defensive unit contributed 26 points, led by:
- Sophie Jaques (2G, 5A)
- Claire Thompson (6A) – Most assists by a defender in playoff history
- Mellissa Channell-Watkins (1G, 4A)
Rooney’s Perfect Postseason Record
Minnesota goaltender Maddie Rooney posted a 5-0 record, including three consecutive 30+ save performances in the Finals, finishing with a 1.75 GAA and a .932 SV%.
Taylor Heise Sets Career Playoff Points Record
Minnesota forward Taylor Heise now holds the most all-time PWHL playoff points, tallying 15 (6G, 9A) in 18 games across two postseasons.
Michela Cava’s Championship Streak Continues
Minnesota forward Michela Cava has now won five consecutive professional championships, adding to her previous Isobel Cup (2023) and international titles in Russia (2022) and Sweden (2021).
Expansion & Key Dates
The conclusion of the 2025 PWHL Finals marks the end of the league’s six-team era, with Seattle and Vancouver set to debut in 2025-26.
Upcoming Expansion Milestones:
- June 3 (12 PM ET): Player Protection Lists Due
- June 4–8: Exclusive Signing Window
- June 9 (8:30 PM ET): 2025 Expansion Draft (Presented by Upper Deck)
- June 24 (7 PM ET): 2025 PWHL Draft (Presented by Upper Deck)
