Toronto Sceptres (0-0-0-0 0pts) v. Minnesota Frost (0-0-0-0 0pts)
Game Recap
The PWHL is back, and the 2025-26 season would kick off in Minnesota as the Frost would raise their second consecutive Walter Cup championship banner before hosting the Toronto Sceptres, and in the first period, both teams would battle for ice as the Frost would get the first real opportunity, but Grace Zumwinkle would shoot it wide of the net, but shortly after that opportunity, Kendall Coyne Schofield would score the first goal of the season to give the Frost the 1-0 lead. After the goal, both teams would continue to battle for offensive zone time, and after about 7 minutes, the Sceptres would register their first shot on goal, and use that to build some momentum in the Frost’s zone. Dominique Petrie would get a golden chance for the Frost, but Raygan Kirk would stonewall Petrie on the scoring opportunity. Late in the first period, a penalty shot would be awarded to the Frost, and Kelley Pannek would be stopped by Kirk to keep the game at 1-0 in favor of the Frost. Late in the period, offseason acquisition Ella Shelton would score her first as a Sceptre to tie the game at one.
In the second period, the Frost would go to the penalty box early as Katy Knoll would go off for hooking and give the Sceptres the first powerplay of the game. Frost would do a good job of killing off the penalty, including a scoring opportunity by Peyton Anderson. A few moments later, the Frost would get a pair of solid chances to retake the lead, but Dominique Petrie would hit the post and the other opportunity would go wide and lead to a scoring chance for the Sceptres, but Maddie Rooney would keep the Sceptres at bay. Later into the period, the Frost would get their first powerplay of the game as Emma Maltais would be called for tripping. The Frost would get a good opportunity, but Kirk would make the save and the defense would clear the puck out of the zone before the Frost could get to the rebound. The Frost would get one more big push while on the powerplay, but they would be unable to convert on their first extra-man advantage of the game. The Sceptres would pour on the pressure in the Frost’s zone, but Maddie Rooney would remain dominate in net to keep this game tied at one.
Then in the third period, the Frost would get a quick start as Taylor Heise would get a shot on goal, but a heavy hit on Daryl Watts would stop play for her to be checked out by the team doctor. Moments later, Heise would draw a slashing penalty to put the Frost back on the powerplay. It would be a strong powerplay for the Frost, but they would be denied by Kirk. With the penalty kill the Sceptres will move their momentum in their direction as Kiara Zanon would score her first career PWHL goal to give the Sceptres the 2-1 lead. The Sceptres would continue to apply pressure on the Frost, and Peyton Anderson would take a tripping call to put the Sceptres on their second powerplay of the game. The Frost would play strong defense against the Sceptres’ powerplay, but after killing off the penalty, Kelley Pannek would be called for tripping to put the Frost back on the penalty kill. The Frost would go on to kill the penalty again, and pull Rooney for the extra attacker, but the Sceptres would hold on for the 2-1 victory over the Frost.
Lineups:
Toronto Sceptres
Maggie Connors — Blayre Turnbull — Jesse Compher
Daryl Watts — Emma Maltais — Natalie Spooner
Kiara Zanon — Emma Gentry — Emma Woods
Sara Hjalmarsson — Clara van Wieren — Claire Dalton
Clair de George
Savannah Harmon — Ella Shelton
Allie Monroe — Kali Flanagan
Anna Kjellbin — Jess Kondas
Raygan Kirk
Elaine Chuli
Scratched: Jessie McPherson
Injured: Renata Fast (upper body)
Minnesota Frost
Abby Hustler — Taylor Heise — Grace Zumwinkle
Kendall Coyne Schofield — Kelly Panek — Britta Curl-Salemme
Denisa K?ížová — Dominique Petrie — Katy Knoll
Peyton Anderson — Klára Hymlárová — Claire Butorac
Vanessa Upson
Lee Stecklein — Kendall Cooper
Mae Batherson — Sidney Morin
Madison Bizal — Natalie Buchbinder
Maddie Rooney
Nicole Hensley
Scratched: Marlène Boissonnault, Brooke Becker
First Period
MIN Goal – 4:00 – Kendall Coyne Schofield (1) from Kelly Pannek (1) and Britta Curl-Salemme (1)
MIN Penalty Shot – 15:49 – Kelley Pannek – Miss – (Daryl Watts – Hooking)
TOR Goal – 17:05 – Ella Shelton (1) from Natalie Spooner (1) and Savannah Harmon (1)
| End of First | TOR- 1 | MIN – 1 |
| Shots | 6 | 11 |
| Faceoff Wins | 2/12 | 10/12 |
| Penalty Shots | 0/0 | 0/1 |
| Powerplay | 0/0 | 0/0 |
Second Period
MIN Penalty – 3:30 – Katy Knoll – 2 minutes for Hooking
TOR Penalty – 11:01 – Emma Maltais – 2 minutes for Tripping
| End of Second | TOR – 1 | MIN – 1 |
| Shots | 14 | 19 |
| Faceoff Wins | 5/20 | 15/20 |
| Penalty Shots | 0/0 | 0/1 |
| Powerplay | 0/1 | 0/1 |
Third Period
TOR Penalty – 3:03 – Blayre Turnbull – 2 minutes for Slashing
TOR Goal – 5:44 – Kiara Zanon (1) from Emma Maltais (1) and Natalie Spooner (2)
MIN Penalty – 11:15 – Peyton Anderson – 2 minutes for Tripping
MIN Penalty – 15:48 – Kelly Pannek – 2 minutes for Tripping
| End of Third | TOR – 2 | MIN – 1 |
| Shots | 19 | 31 |
| Faceoff Wins | 12/36 | 24/36 |
| Penalty Shots | 0/0 | 0/1 |
| Powerplay | 0/3 | 0/2 |
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