On Wednesday night, history was made. PWHL Minnesota is the first-ever team to win the Walter Cup after they shut out Boston that night. It was a clear-off night for Boston, but that does not belittle this win. Minnesota was a strong contender at the start of the season. They went on a five-game losing streak after the international break, still clinching a playoff spot, and then reverse swept the first-seed Toronto team in the first round. Both teams deserved this achievement, and it fired up the Minnesota and Boston rivalry.
Minnesota had control of this game from the first puck drop to the final whistle. With a commanding difference in shots, Minnesota ended with 44, and Boston ended with just 17, with just three shots in the final period.
After a scoreless first period, at 6:14 of the second period, Liz Schepers gets the first goal of the game after a tip-in off a shot from Sydney Brodt.
The third period arrived, and Boston was still down by a goal. They usually have big third periods, but that was not the case on Wednesday night. At 8:08 of the third period, Michela Cava got the insurance goal and game-winning goal. This was her fourth goal of the playoffs. This goal came after a long time spent in the Boston zone, not much defense at the time for goaltender Aerin Frankel.
Minnesota held Boston to just three shots all period, which might be the biggest thing to note during this game. For the final goal of the inaugural PWHL season, Kendall Coyne-Schofield made it 3-0 on the empty net to extend the lead.
After the final buzzer, PWHL Minnesota were Walter Cup Champions, for real this time. The Ilana Kloss Award, which is presented to the PWHL playoffs Most Valuable Player, was awarded to first-draft pick, Taylor Heise. Heise had five goals and three assists during the postseason.
Aerin Frankel had 41 saves in the game, she was the best on the ice for Boston. The Green Monster ended the playoff run with a .929 save percentage and a 2.00 goals-against average. She was the losing team MVP; her performance did not go unnoticed during this game. The loud, passionate crowd of 6,309 fans was heard all night. As Minnesota was celebrating on the ice, “Frankel” chants could be heard all throughout the stadium. As the Boston team saluted the crowd one last time this season, the arena erupted with “Thank you, Boston” chants. This was Boston’s first sell-out crowd. 10 minutes after Alina Müller’s game-winning goal in Minnesota, the tickets were sold out.
Congratulations to PWHL Minnesota for winning the first-ever Walter Cup. This inaugural season was more than anyone could ever dream it to be.
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Frankel’s playoff save percentage was .953, not .929; she faced 300 shots, had 286 saves, and played 580 minutes. Per PWHL playoff stats page.