Three Reasons for Optimism from the Minnesota Frost's Season Opener

One thing we have learned from the first two years of PWHL hockey is that the Minnesota Frost have a penchant for repeating things. Just like last season, the Frost dropped their home opener, this time to the Toronto Sceptres.

Though they lost game one, there was a lot to like about how the Frost played. Here are some positive things I saw that are cause for optimism heading into game two and beyond.

The Frost Held the Sceptres to 19 Shots.

Last season, the Frost were the best team in the league at limiting their opponents' shots. In the regular season, they allowed 24.2 shots against per game. However, with all the upheaval on the back end for the Frost, a repeat defensive performance this season seemed far-fetched. But, at least on Friday night, the Frost picked up right where they left off. They held the Sceptres to 19 total shots on goal, and only 17 at even strength.

For the majority of Friday night, the Frost were able to keep Toronto’s shots to the outside and limit their time in the offensive zone. It's a small sample size, of course, but if the Frost can limit shots against and get average goaltending, they will be successful. Game one was an indication that their defense may be ahead of schedule.

Kendall Coyne Schofield is still elite.

I don’t believe anyone was too concerned about Kendall Coyne Schofield, but with all of the change heading into season three, it's nice to be reminded that some things remain the same. Coyne Schofield scored the Frost’s first and only goal on Friday as she made a play to break the puck out of her own zone, and then crashed the net for a tap-in. She also led Frost forwards in ice time and was a force all over the ice, using her speed to win puck battles and make plays.

Interestingly, head coach Ken Klee decided not to play Coyne Schofield alongside frequent linemate Taylor Heise to start the year. Coyne Schofield and Heise have played together a ton for the Frost. Their line, along with Michela Cava, was among the most common lines in the league last season. On Friday, Coyne Schofield looked right at home with her new linemates, Britta Curl-Salemme and Kelly Pannek. The three of them were the Frost's best line on the night; they did not allow a goal, they combined for seven shots, and they scored the Frost's only goal.

Defense Corps passes its First Test.

I have spilled a ton of virtual ink about the changes on defense for the Frost. Coming into opening night, the Frost were starting three newcomers: Kendall Cooper, Sidney Morin, and Madison Bizal.

Head coach Ken Klee decided to match up each newcomer with a returning player: Lee Stecklein played with Kendall Cooper, Mae Batherson was with Sidney Morin, and Natalie Buchbinder and Madison Bizal made up the third pairing. To absolutely no one's surprise, Stecklein led the Frost in ice time, playing over 25 minutes in game one. Cooper looked solid in her first professional game; she played just over 24 minutes, wasn’t on the ice for a goal against, and managed three shots on goal. She was also out for some time on the power play alongside Morin.

As expected, Mae Batherson was asked to step into a bigger role in game one. Batherson played just over 19 minutes on Friday, which is almost 4 minutes higher than her 2024-2025 season average of just under 15.5 minutes. Batherson and Morin were on the ice for Toronto’s first goal; however, it’s hard to fault them too much. Natalie Spooner overskated the puck coming across the blueline, then her chip across the zone bounced over a stick or two before ending up on the tape of Ella Shelton at the backdoor for a tap-in. A bit of bad luck for the second pairing, who were otherwise pretty solid throughout the evening.

Coming into training camp, the Frost were looking for a defender to step into the opening night lineup. Bizal made the team out of camp, and on Friday night, she got the start alongside Buchbinder. The Bizal and Buchbinder pairing played a little over 13 minutes, and their night was up and down. It was Buchbinder's breakout pass that began the rush that led to Kendall Coyne-Schofield's opening goal. But later, a slightly mistimed neutral zone step up from Buchbinder allowed Emma Maltais to find a streaking Kiara Zanon, who beat Bizal to the net for the game-winner.

It will be worth keeping a close eye on the defense pairings early in the season. If Klee wants to shuffle the pairings, sixth-round pick Brooke Becker is also on the roster after a strong showing in training camp.

Finally, a quick honorary mention for the penalty kill. Last season, the Frost's penalty kill finished last in the league at 78.4%. On Friday night, they killed off all three of the Sceptre's power plays, limiting them to only 2 shots on goal. Again, it’s a small sample size, but the Frost will hope to continue the trend of an improved penalty kill in 2025-2026.

The Frost will be back in action on Friday, November 28th in Seattle as they take on the Torrent.