Back-to-Back Champs Lock in Third Straight Playoff Berth

Rebecca Labaj

The back-to-back champions are heading back to the playoffs, becoming the second team to clinch a third-straight playoff berth. The Minnesota Frost now join the Boston Fleet and Montreal Victoire in the 2026 playoff pool. 

This is the earliest the Frost have clinched with the past two seasons being decided in the final game of the year. In the inaugural season the Frost faced the Sceptres on the road, completing a reverse sweep advancing to the Final against Boston, where they found the league's first Walter Cup win in Game 5. In year two the Frost once again faced the Sceptres in the opening round, this time advancing on home ice to take on the Ottawa Charge in the Finals, where they found the first Walter Cup win on home ice. 

This season the Frost have proven why they are the reigning back-to-back champions rebuilding their team after taking a heavy hit though the West Coast expansion. Minnesota has proven that it is not just one player that makes a difference but the unit. 

Heading into the game today the Frost needed a regulation win to clinch their spot, and so they did, through a tight battle against the Goldeneyes. The game saw the debut of Samantha Cogan on offence. Cogan was signed just last week to the Reserve coming off a successful season in Europe. She has been signed to a 10-day standard contract and is expected to see more ice time as we inch towards the playoffs. 

Game Recap

Well the Frost didn’t get the start they wanted with Sarah Nurse getting the Goldeneyes on the board early they fought back kickstarted by Grace Zumwinkle who is having her best season to date. Followed by Lee Stecklein coming in on the rush as Katy Knoll tipped it in to put the Frost ahead. But it didn’t take long for the Goldeneyes to find an answer with Tereza Vanišová creating a breakaway chance, evening the game. Ending off the period was Sophie Jaques with the classic ‘Sophie Snipe,’ giving the Goldeneyes a 3-2 lead heading into the second period. 

Kicking off the second period was Jenn Gardiner expanding the Goldeneyes lead, leaving the Frost to battle back from a two goal deficit. And they would with Kendall Coyne-Shofield passing across in front for Zumwinkle, well the initial shot was turned away by Emerance Maschmeyer, Mae Batherson was there to clean up. Not long after, the Frost headed to the power-play, where Taylor Heise found her 10th of the season, to tie the game at 4 a piece heading into the third period. 

Early in the third the Frost once again headed to the power-play, where Kelly Pannek found the tip on Kendall Cooper’s shot to take back the lead. The Frost continued to push but the back end was locked down before the Goldeneyes took another penalty sending the Frost back on the power-play where Kelly Pannek found the back door off a pass across from Kendall Cooper, tying the single-game point record with 4. 

Down two the Goldeneyes pulled their goalie hoping to re-ignite their offence, and they did with Izzy Daniel closing the gap. However, the Frost were able to hold on to their lead, clinching their playoff spot with a 6-5 win. 

Well the road hasn’t been easy, the Frost continue to prove they are the team to beat and they’re not going down easy. As the playoff race continues will the Frost find their best finish yet, and claim home ice advantage? Or will they start the playoffs on the road again?

Stay tuned for more Frost and women’s hockey news as the countdown to playoffs continues.