Frost Repeat as Walter Cup Champions, Defeating Charge in Overtime
Each game ended 2–1 in overtime, but it was Minnesota who had the final word, and the Walter Cup, once again.
The Ottawa Charge came within inches of forcing Game 5, but it was the Minnesota Frost who lifted the Walter Cup again. Liz Schepers played hero for the second year in a row, sealing a 2–1 win in front of 11,024 fans at Xcel Energy Center and securing Minnesota’s second straight PWHL championship.
Schepers’ goal at 12:00 of overtime capped a fourth consecutive one-goal game between the two teams.
BACK TO BACK.
— Jocks In Jills (@JocksInJills) May 27, 2025
MINNESOTA WINS IT IN OVERTIME. pic.twitter.com/3SOXfYXVOF
Minnesota took a 1–0 lead midway through the second period on a Kelly Pannek goal, but Ottawa answered in the third thanks to Tereza Vanišová, who buried her first of the playoffs to force overtime.
Once again, rookie goaltender Gwyneth Philips kept the Charge alive. She made 36 saves in the loss and was named the Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP, the first time the award has gone to a player on the losing team.
“The individual award is superseded by the team loss,” Philips said postgame. “We were so close and we really wanted that. My accomplishments are attributed to the players in front of me. So maybe tomorrow it'll be nicer, but I really wanted that win.”
Philips finished the playoffs with a .952 save percentage, a 1.23 goals-against average, and two 40+ save games. She didn’t lose once in regulation across her eight starts.
Ottawa captain Brianne Jenner reflected on the Charge’s season after the final buzzer.
"This was a special group. We went through a lot this season and showed a lot of resiliency," she said. "These last couple weeks did something really special. It was a special run and it's going to sting for a while for sure but really, really proud of this group."
Head coach Carla MacLeod also praised her team for navigating a grueling playoff run that saw them go to overtime in five of eight games.
"I’m just so impressed by our group because we played a lot of hockey in a short amount of time here," MacLeod said. "There was the long OT against Montréal, and then every game being an overtime game here. But this group just stuck with it. We never factored it into anything. We just kept going. Of course, there’s wear and tear, that's inevitable. But it’s playoff hockey, and we were wholeheartedly embracing the whole experience."
Emily Clark led the Charge in playoff scoring with five points, while Jocelyne Larocque topped the blueline with four. Ottawa’s offense couldn’t match Minnesota’s depth in the end, nine different Frost skaters recorded multiple playoff goals, compared to just three on the Charge.
Minnesota’s championship run was a testament to composure, depth, and experience. After dropping Game 1, the Frost rattled off three straight wins, all in overtime, showcasing their ability to thrive under pressure. Liz Schepers played hero again with her second straight Walter Cup, clinching goal, while Maddie Rooney capped off a perfect postseason with five consecutive wins and a .932 save percentage.
Their blue line dominated both ends of the ice, with Lee Stecklein leading all playoff scorers and Claire Thompson driving play with a six-assist postseason. From rookies like Katy Knoll to veterans like Kelly Pannek and Taylor Heise, every part of Minnesota’s roster contributed.
“Overall, we just have a great team culture, from staff leadership down,” Rooney said. “Everyone was just bought in. Despite some bumps in the road, we never had a doubt.”
“To win in front of our fans, to have over 10,000 come to the Xcel Energy Center on a holiday and support our players is just outstanding,” said head coach Ken Klee. “It was amazing, even with Gwyneth Philips winning MVP and them all cheering for her. It just shows how great a fan base we have, how much class they have, how much they love the game.”
Minnesota fans will have the chance to celebrate the repeat on Wednesday, May 28, from 6–8 p.m. CT at the Xcel Energy Center.
With expansion on the horizon and this marking the final season with just six teams, the Frost closed out this chapter of the PWHL with a statement. Balanced, battle-tested, and built for the big moments, they proved exactly what it takes to win it all.
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