The Minnesota Frost has punched their ticket to the PWHL finals following an exhilarating 4-3 overtime win against the Toronto Sceptres in Game 4 of their semifinal clash on Wednesday night.
Star of the match, Taylor Heise, who earned playoff MVP honors last year, netted the decisive goal just 16 minutes into the extra period. Meanwhile, team captain Kendall Coyne Schofield made her mark with two crucial goals, making a significant impact during regular play.
Despite entering the postseason as the fourth seed, the Frost, the reigning champions, were nonetheless seen as having an edge over the second-seeded Sceptres, thanks to Dom Luszczyszyn’s analytical model which gave Minnesota a 21% probability of clinching the series in four games.
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Toronto got off to a strong start, taking the lead in the series after a win in Game 1 at their home rink. However, Minnesota bounced back impressively, winning three consecutive games, including a thrilling 7-5 victory in Game 3. This string of wins ultimately propelled the Frost into the finals.
As they await the outcome of the series between the Ottawa Charge and Montreal Victoire—currently led by Ottawa at 2-1—the Frost’s remarkable journey deserves a closer look.
A Bold Goalie Decision for Toronto
In a pivotal moment of the series, Toronto’s head coach Troy Ryan decided to make a dramatic switch in net. Starting goalie Kristen Campbell faced mounting pressure as she allowed 12 goals on 49 shots in her last two outings, resulting in a troubling playoff average of 4.75 goals against and an .813 save percentage.
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Jackson’s presence in goal was a gamble; she had only appeared in one previous game over the last two seasons, securing a memorable 2-1 shootout victory against the New York Sirens. Contrastingly, Minnesota’s coach Ken Klee opted for Nicole Hensley over Maddie Rooney after Rooney’s struggles in Game 3. Hensley rose to the occasion, making 26 saves on 29 shots, with crucial stops particularly late in the game and during overtime.
Coyne Schofield’s Excellence Shines Through
Kendall Coyne Schofield showcased her exceptional talent and grit throughout the match, reinforcing her reputation as a dominant force at five-on-five play. Her two critical goals were milestones, the first halting Toronto’s momentum, and the second equalizing the game at 3-3 during the third period, which effectively forced the game into overtime.
Reflecting on her prior postseason performance, it’s worth noting that Coyne Schofield had just returned to elite competition after the birth of her son, Drew. Last season, she struggled with earning only one goal in ten playoff games. This year, however, she has rediscovered her form, placing fifth in league points with an impressive tally of 22 even-strength points, outpacing all her peers.
With her ongoing success, coupled with strategic enhancements to Minnesota’s lineup, the Frost have positioned themselves as formidable contenders going into the Finals.
Rookie Star: Julia Gosling
Despite a modest rookie season in which Julia Gosling logged just four goals and ten points over 30 games, she has emerged as a standout performer during the playoffs—now showcasing why the Sceptres made her their sixth overall pick in the 2024 draft.
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In the critical Game 4, Gosling opened the scoring with a splendid forehand-backhand move to beat Hensley early in the game. This goal marked her third of the postseason and established her as the first player in the series to net two even-strength goals, a notable shift from her earlier success on power plays during the regular season.
As Gosling hits her stride just when it matters most, the question looms: will she stay with the Sceptres next season, or could her progress place her at the center of one of the new franchises emerging in the league?
This article was originally published in The Athletic.
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