Minnesota’s Statement Win Over Toronto Halts Slide, Sparks Momentum Before International Break

The Minnesota Frost snapped a troubling three-game skid in dominant fashion on Sunday afternoon, defeating the surging Toronto Sceptres 5–2 in front of a season-high 9,536 fans at Xcel Energy Center. With both teams heading into the league’s pause for the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship, Minnesota’s performance was not just timely—it was essential.

Fast Start Sets the Tone

Minnesota wasted no time imposing their will. Just 1:01 into the game, Taylor Heise opened the scoring, followed a mere 42 seconds later by Britta Curl-Salemme. The two goals, coming just 1:43 into the contest, marked the fastest pair to start a game in PWHL history. The early burst not only electrified the home crowd but immediately put the Sceptres on their heels—momentum Minnesota never relinquished.

Minnesota Head Coach Ken Klee emphasized the team’s aggressive mentality:

“We were fast, we were first on pucks… when we do those things, and we’re simple with the puck, we’re a tough team to handle.”

The Frost looked every bit that tough team on Sunday. By the end of the second period, the lead had grown to 4–0 thanks to goals from defender Sophie Jaques and forward Liz Schepers. While Toronto managed to claw back two goals in the third, Heise iced the game with her second tally of the night—her seventh multi-point outing of the season.

Heise Leads the Charge

Taylor Heise’s two-goal performance underscored her status as one of the league’s elite forwards. She now sits at 21 points on the season (8G, 13A), becoming the 11th PWHL player to surpass the 20-point mark. More importantly, Heise’s presence seemed to spark energy throughout the lineup.

Said Heise after the win:

“We came out with a lot of speed… up and down the lineup I was impressed with the way we continued to pound them – and then you had Nic (Hensley) back there who made a bunch of crazy saves.”

That goaltending from Nicole Hensley proved critical, especially during Toronto’s third-period surge. She stopped 27 of 29 shots, earning her fifth win of the season and solidifying her reputation as a dependable last line of defense.

A Rough Afternoon for Toronto

For the Sceptres, Sunday’s loss marked the end of a five-game point streak and a missed opportunity to clinch a playoff spot before the break. Goaltender Kristen Campbell struggled early, allowing four goals on 16 shots before being pulled in favor of rookie Raygan Kirk. Head Coach Troy Ryan didn’t mince words when assessing his team’s effort.

“They looked like the better team, the more skilled team, the more physical team, the faster team this afternoon. There won’t be a lot of wins in our future if we play the way we played today.”

Toronto defender Kali Flanagan echoed the disappointment, particularly with playoff implications looming. Her goal at 3:32 of the third sparked a brief comeback attempt, later boosted by a power play goal from Daryl Watts—her 11th of the season and league-leading fourth on the advantage.

Depth Shines for Minnesota

The Frost’s scoring was well distributed—another positive sign heading into the season’s final stretch. All four lines contributed to scoring chances, and key players broke out of slumps. Rookie standout Brooke McQuigge tallied two assists, extending her point streak to a Minnesota-record six games and tying her for third in rookie scoring with 13 points (7G, 6A).

Sophie Jaques added her fifth goal, reaffirming her offensive impact from the blue line with 19 points in 22 games—second among all PWHL defenders. Meanwhile, Liz Schepers set a new career-high with four points on the season, and veteran Kendall Coyne Schofield ended a three-game drought with an assist.

Additional standout contributions included:

• Michela Cava’s second multi-assist game of the year, ending the series with seven points against Toronto.
• Claire Thompson’s 14th assist, placing her among the league’s top four in that category.
• Rookies Dominique Petrie and Denisa Křížová each ended scoring droughts with assists.

What This Means for the Standings

The win moves Minnesota (8-5-4-10, 38 points) back into fourth place in the PWHL standings, now two points clear of Ottawa. Toronto (12-2-5-8, 45 points) holds onto second, three points behind league-leading Montréal. While the Sceptres still have a path to clinching a playoff spot before the international break, Sunday’s stumble raises questions about consistency heading into the league’s final stretch.

Both teams return to action on April 26—Toronto traveling to face Boston, and Minnesota hosting New York in what promises to be a high-stakes sprint to the postseason.

Final Thoughts

Sunday’s win was more than a morale boost for Minnesota—it was a showcase of what the Frost are capable of when they execute their identity: fast, deep, and relentless. For Toronto, it was a reminder that talent alone won’t carry a team through the postseason gauntlet. As both teams prepare for the final three games of the regular season, momentum—and identity—could be the ultimate difference-makers.

Game Summary:
📍 Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN
👥 Attendance: 9,536 (Season-high)
🏒 Final: Minnesota 5, Toronto 2
📊 Shots: TOR 29, MIN 24
🥅 Power Plays: TOR 1/3, MIN 0/1

Three Stars:

1. ⭐ Taylor Heise (MIN) – 2 Goals
2. ⭐ Nicole Hensley (MIN) – 27 Saves
3. ⭐ Liz Schepers (MIN) – 1 Goal