Minnesota Frost OT Win Secures 1-0 Lead against Montréal Victoire

The Minnesota Frost traveled to Place Bell on May 2, 2026 and faced the Montréal Victoire in Game 1 of this series. Read about how the Minnesota Frost secured an overtime win during their 2026 PWHL Walter Cup Playoffs debut!

Game 1 | Saturday, May 2, 2026 | Minnesota Frost 5, Montréal Victoire 4

The Minnesota Frost struck first and opened Game 1 of this series with a goal scored by #6 Katy Knoll (1-0). This lead for the Minnesota Frost was extended, 2-0, when #26 C. Kendall Coyne Schofield successfully scored a power play goal late in the first period. The score remained 2-0 in the Minnesota Frosts’ favor by the end of the first period despite both teams having a couple chances on the man-advantage and with the Minnesota Frost outshooting Montréal Victoire (8 SOG vs. 5 SOG). 

After a rough start in their 2026 PWHL Walter Cup Playoffs debut, the Montréal Victoire regrouped and came to life during the second period. The first Montréal Victoire goal of the game was scored by #27 Shiann Darkangelo who cut the team’s deficits down to one-goal early in the second period (2-1). This one-goal lead for the Minnesota Frost was negated after #7 Laura Stacey tied the game, 2-2, with three minutes remaining in the second period. The Minnesota Frost did not back down and ultimately gained a 3-2 lead going into the last period of regulation with a goal scored by #13 Grace Zumwinkle. When looking at who was able to maintain puck possession throughout the second period, the Minnesota Frost continued to have the advantage over the Montréal Victoire (12 SOG vs. 8 SOG). In regards to special teams, all penalty kill units remained undefeated during the second period which resulted in no power play goals being scored. 

It did not take too long for the Montréal Victoire to tie the game, 3-3, with a power play goal scored by #7 Laura Stacey nearly three minutes into the last period of regulation. Minnesota Frost’s #5 Sidney Morin answered back quickly and momentarily regained the team’s one-goal lead with a thrilling short-handed goal (4-3). This lead was also short-lived as Montréal Victoire’s #7 Laura Stacey recorded her first hat-trick of the 2026 post season when she tied the game with another power play goal secured a minute after the Minnesota Frost’s goal (4-4). Despite the Montréal Victoire outshooting the Minnesota Frost (12 SOG vs. 7 SOG), the third period remained at a tied standstill which forced the teams to enter the first overtime duel in the 2026 PWHL Walter Cup Playoffs. 

Both teams were eager to secure their first win in this series but it was evident that the Minnesota Frost had more at stake as they were determined to redeem themselves from being swept by the Montréal Victoire during the regular season. This regular season upset fueled the Minnesota Frost and ultimately led to their 5-4 overtime win with the game-winning overtime goal being scored by #33 Jincy Roese. The Minnesota Frosts’ win would not have been possible without the gutsy goaltending performance of #35 Maddie Rooney who saved 21 out of 25 shots on goal. The Montréal Victoire’s lost does not take away from the admirable in net performance of #35 Ann-Renée Desbiens who saved a total of 24 out of 29 shots on goal by the end of this game. After a hard-fought win, the Minnesota Frost lead this series 1-0 with a win secured during their 2026 PWHL Walter Cup Playoffs debut!

Points Leaders and Goaltending Stats

Montréal Victoire

• Points leaders: #7 Laura Stacey (3G) recorded 3 points 

• Goals leader: #7 Laura Stacey scored 3 goals which recorded the first hat-trick of the 2026 PWHL Walter Cup Playoffs

• Assists leaders: #29 C. Marie-Philip Poulin (2A) and #11 Abby Roque (2A) both recorded 2 assists by the end of this game

• Goaltending: #35 Ann-Renée Desbiens saved 24 out of 29 shots on goal 

Minnesota Frost

• Points leaders: #13 Grace Zumwinkle (1G, 1A), #27 Taylor Heise (2A), #71 Klára Hymlárová (2A), and #12 Kelly Pannek (2A) all recorded 2 points 

• Goals leader: #13 Grace Zumwinkle (1G), #26 C. Kendall Coyne Schofield (1G), #6 Katy Knoll (1G), #5 Sidney Morin (1G), and #33 Jincy Roese (1G) all scored 1 goal 

• Assists leaders: #27 Taylor Heise (2A), #71 Klára Hymlárová (2A), and #12 Kelly Pannek (2A) recorded 2 assists

• Goaltending: #35 Maddie Rooney saved 21 out of 25 shots on goal and recorded her first overtime win in the 2026 PWHL Walter Cup Playoffs

Overall Stats

• The Minnesota Frost outscored the Montréal Victoire (5G vs. 4G)

• The Minnesota Frost outshot the Montréal Victoire (29 SOG vs. 25 SOG)

• The Montréal Victoire had a higher power play success rate (40% vs. 20%) 

• The Montréal Victoire had a higher penalty kill success rate (80% vs. 60%)

SUMMARY: The Minnesota Frost’s overall ability to maintain puck possession and to capitalize on their scoring chances ultimately helped them to secure their win in sudden death hockey despite the Montréal Victoire finding more success with their special teams. 

The Minnesota Frost gained a 1-0 series lead with their first win secured against the Montréal Victoire during the 2025-26 season. After a thrilling 2026 PWHL Walter Cup Playoffs debut, it is certain that the Minnesota Frost will enter Game 2 with confidence from their early successes in this series. On the other hand, the Montréal Victoire will most likely enter with vengeance in order to redeem themselves and force Game 4 in this series. 

Below are the next scheduled match-up and where to watch them:

Tuesday, May 5, 2026 (Game 2)

• The Minnesota Frost will face the Montréal Victoire on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM EDT. This game will take place at the Place Bell

  • Watch on Prime Video Canada, Scripps Sports Network, Fox 9+, PWHL YouTube Channel

Thursday, May 7, 2026 (Game 3)

• The Montréal Victoire will face the Minnesota Frost on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM EDT. This game will take place at the Grand Casino Arena

  • Watch on Prime Video Canada, Scripps Sports Network, Fox 9+, PWHL YouTube Channel

Games 4 & 5 if  necessary are TBD

Stay tuned for the next recap of the 2025-26 regular season for the 2026 PWHL Walter Cup Playoffs!