The Professional Women's Hockey League's third regular season has officially wrapped, and the chase for the Walter Cup begins Thursday night. With the playoffs set, the top-seeded Montreal Victoire made a bold move that has everyone talking: they chose to face the two-time defending champion Minnesota Frost in the first round.
Since the PWHL's inaugural season in 2024, the regular-season champion has been given the unique privilege of picking their first-round opponent—either the No. 3 or No. 4 seed. This year, Montreal could have opted for the Ottawa Charge, who clinched the final playoff spot on the season's last day. Instead, they chose the Frost, a team that has haunted the league's top seeds for two straight years.
Minnesota's playoff pedigree is undeniable. In Year 1, they sneaked in on a five-game losing streak, only to knock off No. 1 Toronto and capture the first-ever Walter Cup. Last season, they repeated the feat, upsetting Toronto again en route to back-to-back championships. Now, they enter the postseason on another skid—a four-game losing streak—but history shows they can flip the switch when it matters most.
What makes Minnesota especially dangerous this year is their offense. They lead the league with 91 goals, and five of the top 10 scorers wear Frost jerseys, including Kelly Pannek (33 points in 30 games). Montreal's coach, Kori Cheverie, kept the reasoning behind the decision close to the vest, saying only that an "internal process" guided the team. "We're looking forward to the opportunity," she added.
It's a risky choice for Montreal, who have been upset in the first round in back-to-back seasons. Last year, they picked Ottawa as the No. 3 seed and were bounced in four games, thanks in large part to Charge goalie Gwyneth Philips, who posted a .955 save percentage and was named playoff MVP. This time, they're taking on the league's only champion.
The other first-round series features the second-seeded Boston Fleet hosting the Ottawa Charge at the Tsongas Center, starting Thursday. Montreal and Minnesota will drop the puck on Saturday, May 2. Whether this is Minnesota's last dance or Montreal's breakthrough moment, one thing is certain: the PWHL playoffs are about to deliver more drama.