2025 PWHL Finals

2025 PWHL Finals
1234 Total
Minnesota Frost 1*2*2***2* 3
Ottawa Charge 2*1*1***1 1
* – Denotes overtime period(s)
Location(s)Ottawa: TD Place Arena (1, 2)
Saint Paul: Xcel Energy Center (3, 4)
FormatBest-of-five
CoachesMinnesota: Ken Klee
Ottawa: Carla MacLeod
CaptainsMinnesota: Kendall Coyne Schofield
Ottawa: Brianne Jenner
DatesMay 20–26
MVPGwyneth Philips (Ottawa Charge)
NetworksCanada:
(English): TSN
(French): RDS
United States:
(English): FanDuel
Announcers(English): Kenzie Lalonde and Cheryl Pounder
(French): Claudine Douville and Isabelle Leclaire
PWHL Finals

The 2025 PWHL Finals was the championship series of the Professional Women's Hockey League 2024–25 PWHL season and the culmination of the 2025 PWHL playoffs. The winners of the semifinals, the Ottawa Charge and the Minnesota Frost competed in a best-of-five series to determine the league's champion and winner of the Walter Cup. The Frost defeated the Charge in four games to win their second consecutive Walter Cup.[1]

The series began on May 20. The Charge had home-ice advantage in the series as the team with the better regular season record.[2] Both teams had 44 points in the regular season, however Ottawa earned a higher ranking due to having more regulation wins than Minnesota.

It was the second straight season that both teams heading into the final were the lower ranked seeds in the semifinals.[3]

In the regular season, the two teams played each other six times, with both teams winning three games.[4]

Paths to the Finals

Minnesota Frost

Main article: 2024–25 Minnesota Frost season

This was Minnesota's second straight Finals appearance, having won the Walter Cup in 2024 in the league's inaugural season.[5] In 2024, they defeated PWHL Boston[3] 3 games to 2 to win the league's championship.

The Frost finished the regular season with 44 points, with a record 10 regulation wins, 5 overtime wins, 4 overtime losses and 11 regulation losses. This earned them the fourth and final playoff spot,[3] which they earned in their final regular season game[5] against the Boston Fleet, whom they defeated 8–1.

Despite finishing fourth in the regular season, the Frost played off against the second place Toronto Sceptres in the semifinal, as the number one Montreal Victoire chose the third place Ottawa Charge as their playoff opponents.[2] In the semifinals, the Frost defeated the Sceptres three games to one to earn their trip to the Finals.[6]

Ottawa Charge

Main article: 2024–25 Ottawa Charge season
The City of Ottawa temporarily renamed a section of Bank Street "Charge Avenue" in honour of the team's playoff run

The Ottawa Charge made the playoffs for the first time in 2025, having failed to make it in the league's inaugural season.

The Charge finished the season with 44 points, with a record of 12 regulation wins, 2 overtime wins, 4 overtime losses and 12 regulation losses. This earned them third place in the regular season standings.[3] The team earned their playoff spot in their final regular season game against the Toronto Sceptres, thanks to an overtime goal by Kateřina Mrázová, giving the Charge a 2–1 victory.[7]

Despite the Charge finishing third in the regular season, the first place Montreal Victoire chose Ottawa as their semifinal opponents.[2] The Charge went on to upset the Victoire in four games.[8] The Charge's only loss was in a marathon game held on Mother's Day, which Montreal won at 15:54 in the fourth overtime, the longest game in PWHL history.[9]

Game summaries

Game one

May 20 Minnesota Frost 1–2 OT Ottawa Charge TD Place Arena Recap
The Ottawa Charge gather around centre ice after winning game 1

Ottawa's Rebecca Leslie got the series' first goal midway through the second period of game 1 to give the Charge a 1–0 lead. She scored on Minnesota net minder Nicole Hensley who was partially screened by teammate Lee Stecklein. In the third, Ottawa's goaltender Gwyneth Philips mishandled the puck, turning it over to Minnesota's Katy Knoll, who quickly passed it to Klára Hymlárová who scored in the vacant net to tie the game. The game then headed into overtime with both teams knotted at one. In overtime, Ottawa's Emily Clark came down the wing, scoring the game winner, just 2:47 into the frame. With the win, the Charge extended their perfect playoff record on home ice, having won all three games.[10] For Minnesota, it was the fourth time they had lost a series opener, having never won a game 1 in franchise history.[11]

Scoring summary
Period Team Goal Assist(s) Time Score
1st None
2nd OTT Rebecca Leslie (2) Tereza Vanišová (3), Jocelyne Larocque (2) 11:34 1–0 OTT
3rd MIN Klára Hymlárová (1) Katy Knoll (2) 5:24 1–1
OT OTT Emily Clark (2) Unassisted 2:47 2–1 OTT
Penalty summary
Period Team Player Penalty Time PIM
1st OTT Stephanie Markowski Slashing 07:45 2:00
MIN Michela Cava Hooking 13:23 2:00
2nd OTT Tereza Vanišová Illegal Body Checking 09:23 2:00
MIN Dominique Petrie Hooking 18:24 2:00
3rd MIN Kelly Pannek Holding 13:52 2:00
OTT Rebecca Leslie Cross Checking 13:52 2:00
OT None
Shots by period
Team 1 2 3 OT Total
MIN 4 11 10 1 26
OTT 9 6 3 1 19

Game two

May 22 Minnesota Frost 2–1 OT Ottawa Charge TD Place Arena Recap
Scoring summary
Period Team Goal Assist(s) Time Score
1st None
2nd None
3rd OTT Jocelyne Larocque (1) Anna Meixner (2), Rebecca Leslie (1) 17:25 1–0 OTT
MIN Britta Curl-Salemme (2) – pp Claire Thompson (3), Lee Stecklein (4) 19:44 1–1
OT MIN Britta Curl-Salemme (3) Mellissa Channell-Watkins (4), Claire Thompson (4) 16:24 2–1 MIN
Penalty summary
Period Team Player Penalty Time PIM
1st OTT Tereza Vanišová Holding 04:32 2:00
2nd OTT Ronja Savolainen Illegal Body Checking 09:09 2:00
MIN Michela Cava Tripping 11:16 2:00
OTT Taylor House Tripping 14:22 2:00
3rd MIN Claire Thompson Interference 01:42 2:00
OTT Tereza Vanišová Hooking 06:34 2:00
OTT Tereza Vanišová Tripping 19:23 2:00
OT None
Shots by period
Team 1 2 3 OT Total
MIN 3 6 10 5 24
OTT 8 16 6 8 38

Game three

May 24 Ottawa Charge 1–2 3OT Minnesota Frost Xcel Energy Center Recap
The Minnesota Frost gather around centre ice after winning game 3 of the 2025 PWHL Finals.
Scoring summary
Period Team Goal Assist(s) Time Score
1st OTT Emily Clark (3) Gabbie Hughes (3), Ashton Bell (1) 11:38 1–0 OTT
2nd MIN Lee Stecklein (4) Claire Thompson (5) 2:58 1–1
3rd None
OT None
2OT None
3OT MIN Katy Knoll (2) Klára Hymlárová (3), Sophie Jaques (5) 9:57 2–1 MIN
Penalty summary
Period Team Player Penalty Time PIM
1st OTT Brianne Jenner Holding the stick 14:49 2:00
2nd MIN Grace Zumwinkle Roughing 08:06 2:00
3rd MIN Lee Stecklein Holding 03:56 2:00
OTT Jocelyne Larocque Roughing 06:32 2:00
MIN Liz Schepers Cross Checking 9:17 2:00
OT None
2OT OTT Rebecca Leslie Hooking 8:37 2:00
3OT MIN Claire Thompson Cross Checking 6:51 2:00
Shots by period
Team 1 2 3 OT 2OT 3OT Total
OTT 2 7 6 5 11 5 36
MIN 10 10 4 8 11 4 47

Game four

May 26 Ottawa Charge 1–2 OT Minnesota Frost Xcel Energy Center Recap
Kendall Coyne Schofield with Walter Cup 2025

After a scoreless first period, Minnesota's Kelly Pannek put the Frost on the board midway through the second, slotting a goal over the left shoulder of Ottawa goaltender Gwyneth Philips from close range, receiving a cross-ice feed from Claire Thompson. In the third period, the Charge staved off elimination with a goal from Tereza Vanišová, after Danielle Serdachny drove behind the Frost's net and centered the puck, giving Vanišová a chance which she capitalized on, tying the game 1–1 with just under ten minutes to play. In overtime, both teams had chances. 12 minutes into the extra period, Liz Schepers fired a shot from close range that found the net past Philips and secured the Minnesota Frost's second PWHL title in a row.

Scoring summary
Period Team Goal Assist(s) Time Score
1st None
2nd MIN Kelly Pannek (2) Claire Thompson (6), Grace Zumwinkle (3) 10:10 1–0 MIN
3rd OTT Tereza Vanišová (1) Danielle Serdachny (2), Jocelyne Larocque (3) 10:09 1–1
OT MIN Liz Schepers (2) Katy Knoll (3), Klára Hymlárová (4) 12:00 2–1 MIN
Penalty summary
Period Team Player Penalty Time PIM
1st MIN Dominique Petrie Tripping 12:05 2:00
OTT Ronja Savolainen Cross checking 19:42 2:00
2nd None
3rd None
OT OTT Gabbie Hughes Roughing 8:01 2:00
MIN Natalie Buchbinder Roughing 08:01 2:00
Shots by period
Team 1 2 3 OT Total
OTT 12 11 7 4 34
MIN 12 14 10 2 38

Team rosters

Minnesota Frost

No. Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace
8 United States Charlotte Akervik D R 24 2024 Eau Claire, Wisconsin
9 Canada Mae Batherson D L 24 2024 Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
33 Canada Marlène Boissonnault G L 28 2025 Dundee, New Brunswick
17 United States Brooke Bryant F R 24 2023 Linden, California
22 United States Natalie Buchbinder D R 26 2023 Fairport, New York
7 United States Claire Butorac F R 25 2023 Andover, Minnesota
86 Canada Michela Cava F R 31 2023 Thunder Bay, Ontario
23 Canada Mellissa Channell-Watkins D L 30 2023 Oakville, Ontario
26 United States Kendall Coyne Schofield (C) F L 33 2023 Palos Heights, Illinois
77 United States Britta Curl-Salemme F L 25 2024 Bismarck, North Dakota
19 United States Maggie Flaherty D L 25 2023 Lakeville, Minnesota
27 United States Taylor Heise F R 25 2023 Lake City, Minnesota
29 United States Nicole Hensley G L 31 2023 Littleton, Colorado
71 Czech Republic Klára Hymlárová F L 26 2024 Opava, Czech Republic
16 Canada Sophie Jaques D R 24 2024 Toronto, Ontario
6 United States Katy Knoll F R 24 2024 Amherst, New York
41 Czech Republic Denisa Křížová F L 30 2023 Horni Cerekev, Czechia
3 Canada Brooke McQuigge F L 25 2024 Bowmanville, Ontario
11 United States Kaitlyn O'Donohoe F R 23 2024 Atlanta, Georgia
12 United States Kelly Pannek (A) F R 29 2023 Plymouth, Minnesota
14 United States Dominique Petrie F R 24 2024 Hermosa Beach, California
35 United States Maddie Rooney G L 28 2023 Andover, Minnesota
21 United States Liz Schepers F L 26 2023 Mound, Minnesota
2 United States Lee Stecklein (A) D L 31 2023 Roseville, Minnesota
42 Canada Claire Thompson D L 27 2024 Toronto, Ontario
13 United States Grace Zumwinkle F R 26 2023 Excelsior, Minnesota

Ottawa Charge

No. Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace
9 Sweden Jessica Adolfsson D L 27 2024 Linköping, Sweden
35 Canada Logan Angers G R 25 2024 Winnipeg, Manitoba
12 Canada Victoria Bach F L 29 2024 Milton, Ontario
21 Canada Ashton Bell D R 25 2023 Deloraine, Manitoba
3 Canada Zoe Boyd D L 25 2023 Caledon East, Ontario
26 Canada Emily Clark (A) F L 29 2023 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
27 United States Shiann Darkangelo (A) F L 31 2024 Royal Oak, Michigan
22 United States Taylor House F L 26 2024 Joliet, Illinois
17 United States Gabbie Hughes F L 25 2023 Lino Lakes, Minnesota
5 Canada Samantha Isbell F L 27 2024 Thunder Bay, Ontario
19 Canada Brianne Jenner (C) F R 34 2023 Oakville, Ontario
23 Canada Jocelyne Larocque D L 37 2024 Ste. Anne, Manitoba
37 Canada Rebecca Leslie F R 29 2024 Ottawa, Ontario
6 Canada Stephanie Markowski D R 23 2024 Edmonton, Alberta
38 Canada Emerance Maschmeyer Injured Reserve G L 30 2023 Bruderheim, Alberta
18 United States Mannon McMahon F R 24 2024 Maple Grove, Minnesota
94 Austria Anna Meixner F L 31 2024 Zell am See, Austria
32 United States Lucy Morgan G R 23 2024 Mandan, North Dakota
16 Czech Republic Kateřina Mrázová F L 32 2023 Kolín, Czech and Slovak Federative Republic
33 United States Gwyneth Philips G R 25 2024 Athens, Ohio
71 United States Jincy Roese D L 28 2023 O'Fallon, Missouri
88 Finland Ronja Savolainen D L 27 2024 Helsinki, Finland
92 Canada Danielle Serdachny F R 24 2024 Edmonton, Alberta
8 United States Natalie Snodgrass F R 26 2023 Eagan, Minnesota
2 Czech Republic Aneta Tejralová D L 29 2023 Prague, Czechia
13 Czech Republic Tereza Vanišová F L 29 2024 Strakonice, Czechia
10 Canada Alexa Vasko F L 26 2024 St. Catharines, Ontario

Media

In Canada, the series aired on TSN in English and RDS in French. In the U.S., the series was shown on FanDuel Sports Network North.[3]

References

  1. ^ "Minnesota Frost capture second Walter Cup title". Sportsnet. May 26, 2025. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "Ottawa Charge eliminate Montreal Victoire in Game 4 to reach PWHL Finals: Takeaways". New York Times. May 16, 2025. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e "2025 PWHL Finals Presented by Scotiabank To Begin Tuesday". PWHL. May 16, 2025. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  4. ^ "Here's what you need to know about the Ottawa Charge-Minnesota Frost PWHL final series". CTV. May 20, 2025. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  5. ^ a b "PWHL playoff notebook: 1st line driving Minnesota's quest to repeat as champions". CBC Sports. May 15, 2025. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  6. ^ "Heise's OT winner helps Frost sink Sceptres, sending Minnesota back to PWHL final". CBC Sports. May 14, 2025. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  7. ^ "Mrázová's overtime winner sends Charge to PWHL postseason for 1st time". CBC. May 3, 2025.
  8. ^ "Ottawa Charge advance to PWHL final after eliminating Montreal Victoire". CBC Sports. May 16, 2025. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  9. ^ "Charge moving on from 4OT loss to Victoire as PWHL playoff hockey makes Ottawa debut". TSN. May 13, 2025. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  10. ^ "Emily Clark scores OT winner as Charge edge Frost in Game 1 of PWHL Finals". CBC.
  11. ^ "Clark scores OT winner as Charge edge Frost in PWHL Finals opener". TSN.
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