Sign in Subscribe
Minnesota Frost

Curl-Salemme’s OT Heroics Tie Series, But Controversy Follows

Britta Curl-Salemme delivered in clutch time, but the fallout from her presence in this series continues to echo far beyond the ice.

Curl-Salemme’s OT Heroics Tie Series, But Controversy Follows
Britta Curl-Salemme celebrating her goal after tying the game late in the third period. (Photo Credit: PWHL)

Britta Curl-Salemme scored the tying goal with 15 seconds left in regulation. Then she won it in overtime.

Subscribe to The Ice Garden for Walter Cup Final coverage!

But when her name was announced as the first star of the game, the reaction inside TD Place wasn’t celebration, it was a wall of boos.

Curl-Salemme’s late-game heroics lifted the Minnesota Frost to a 2–1 win over the Ottawa Charge in Game 2 of the Walter Cup Final, evening the series at 1–1. The performance was clutch. The reception, complicated.

On Friday, she spoke to the media for the first time since the game. The crowd's hostility wasn’t lost on her, but she didn’t seem rattled.

“I’d rather play in front of a full crowd that’s booing me than an empty one,” she said. “That type of passion, it’s really cool to see.”

But the backlash she faces goes beyond road-game heckling. Curl-Salemme has been a polarizing figure since her NCAA days, criticized for past social media activity perceived as anti-LGBTQ+. In a league that has prided itself on inclusion, her presence on a championship stage has sparked frustration among fans, particularly in queer-friendly markets like Ottawa.

When asked what she thinks is behind the hostility, Curl-Salemme deflected.

“I can’t really speak to the reasons behind it,” she said. “I’m sure it’s annoying as hell, being an opposing fan, the style I play. I kind of try to embrace that… I want to be a nuisance.”

She acknowledged walking a fine line between gritty and reckless. This season alone, she’s served multiple suspensions, including one game in the playoffs for a hit on Renata Fast.

“It’s been tough at times,” Curl-Salemme admitted. “I was excited to play in a league that allows more physicality because it suits me. But you’ve got to find that line… I’m never going out trying to hurt someone. That’s never the intention. I think I’m improving. It’s something I’m focused on.”

Frost head coach Ken Klee offered full support.

“She’s a team player, she's all about team,” he said. “She got cross-checked ten times on that shift before the tying goal. Someone broke a stick over her back. And she still finished. That’s who she is.”

On the ice, Curl-Salemme was dominant. Her tying goal came on a 6-on-4 power play. The game-winner, a quick finish from the slot.

But Ottawa had the edge for most of the night, and nearly skated off with the win.

Veteran defender Jocelyne Larocque opened the scoring with just 2:35 left in regulation, blasting home her first playoff goal and first marker as a member of the Charge. It was a statement moment for the 37-year-old, who has embraced a leadership role after joining the team in December.

“It’s playoff hockey. If one goal against is going to get you down, I don't think you'd make it this far in the playoffs." Larocque said post game. "We made a couple of adjustments and just wanted to keep the pressure on because we were playing some really good hockey.” 

Ottawa outshot Minnesota 38–24, dominating the second period with a 16-shot surge and holding the Frost to just nine shots through 40 minutes. Rookie goalie Gwyneth Philips turned aside 22 shots in her sixth straight postseason start, while Emily Clark continued to drive the team’s tempo, recording a playoff career-high six shots.

“There’s sort of these little pockets of opportunity in playoff hockey,” said Ottawa head coach Carla MacLeod. “Minnesota did their job within those pockets, but I thought we had a really, really good hockey game. We played incredibly well.”

Game 2 marked Ottawa’s first home loss of the playoffs, but it also proved they can control pace, dictate possession, and put pressure on one of the league’s top goaltenders in Maddie Rooney. It was their sixth straight one-goal playoff game, and by far one of their most complete efforts.

Ottawa continues to play some of its best hockey of the season. With the series tied and momentum swinging between both benches, Game 3 in Minnesota will be about who can stay composed, and capitalize when it matters most.

Puck drop is at 5pm EST (4PM CT) at Xcel Energy Centre in Minnesota.

Read next

Comments ()