Frost Wins Second Walter Cup
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Frost triumphed over the Ottawa Charge, winning their second Walter Cup title in a tightly contested final, finishing 2-1 in overtime.
A Hard-Fought Series
The championship series was notable for its intensity, as all four games resulted in 2-1 endings, with each match extending into overtime. The third game was particularly long, stretching into triple overtime, which marked a record duration for finals matches, totaling over 81 minutes of extra play.
Decisive Game Highlights
In the final game, Liz Schepers netted the decisive goal for Minnesota after her initial shot was deflected by Ottawa’s goaltender Gwyneth Philips. This rebound was integral in securing the championship for the Frost. Earlier in the match, Kelly Pannek initiated the scoring for Minnesota, thanks to a precise setup from Claire Thompson, marking Ottawa’s first deficit of the finals.
Ottawa’s Resilience
Despite trailing, Ottawa showed determination by equalizing during the third period. Tereza Vanisova scored, assisted by Danielle Serdachny, marking Vanisova’s first postseason point following a successful regular season campaign where she netted 15 goals.
Goalkeeping Performances
Both teams relied on strong performances from their goalkeepers. Minnesota’s Maddie Rooney made 33 saves, which were crucial for her team’s defense throughout the match. Meanwhile, rookie Gwyneth Philips stood out with 36 saves, displaying exceptional skills, especially during the overtime, bringing her combined playoff save total to 148.
The overtime period saw both teams narrowly miss opportunities to score. Ottawa’s Aneta Tejralova struck the post just before Minnesota’s Taylor Heise had a similar near-miss, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
