On Wednesday evening, May 7, 2025, the Toronto Sceptres and Minnesota Frost clashed in a thrilling opening game of the PWHL playoffs at Coca Cola Coliseum in Toronto. This match marked a rematch of last season’s Round 1 showdown, and both teams entered the ice with full, healthy rosters, ready to battle for an early advantage in the best-of-five semifinal series.
The Sceptres, looking to bounce back from last year’s semifinal defeat to the same Frost team, aimed to set the tone early. They achieved just that, scoring three goals before the Frost could respond. The goaltending duel featured Nicole Hensley defending the net for Minnesota, while Kristen Campbell stood strong for Toronto.
It was Blayre Turnbull who opened the scoring for the Sceptres, netting a goal at 8:01 of the first period. Assisted by Jesse Compher and Hannah Miller, Turnbull capitalized on a strong play behind the net, sneaking the puck past Hensley to give Toronto a 1-0 lead.
The first period ended with the Sceptres leading 1-0, but the second period saw Julia Gosling take center stage. Just under eight minutes into the frame, Gosling picked off a clearing attempt at the Minnesota blue line, scoring her first goal of the night unassisted at 7:47 to extend the lead to 2-0. Less than two minutes later, she struck again, this time on the power play, with Miller and Renata Fast providing assists. This goal at 9:42 marked her second of the night, pushing the Sceptres’ lead to a commanding 3-0.
However, the Frost were not about to back down. After a strong performance throughout the game, they finally found the back of the net with a power-play goal from Britta Curl-Salemme at 6:04 in the second period. Assisted by Claire Thompson and Lee Stecklein, Curl-Salemme’s goal cut the Sceptres’ lead to 3-1. Unfortunately for Minnesota, shortly after scoring, Curl-Salemme was ejected for a five-minute major penalty for checking to the head, which put her team in a precarious position.
Despite the setback, the Frost continued to push forward. The third period saw a renewed energy as Katy Knoll scored just over two minutes in, assisted by Klára Hymlárová and Liz Schepers, making it a one-goal game at 3-2. The tension in the arena was palpable as the Frost pulled Hensley in a desperate attempt to find an equalizer. However, they were unable to capitalize on their chances, and the Sceptres held firm to secure the victory.
With the final score reading 3-2 in favor of the Sceptres, they took a 1-0 lead in the series. The game was a testament to the Sceptres’ ability to respond to pressure, something they struggled with in last year’s playoffs. "It’s a long series, that’s what we take from it," said Frost coach Ken Klee. "We know it’s going to be a hard-fought series. Obviously, you have to get three wins. We didn’t get one tonight. Kudos to them, they played hard, and we’re looking forward to Friday.”
The Sceptres’ victory was not without its challenges. Although they started strong, they faced a fierce comeback from the Frost, who have been known for their resilience. Nicole Hensley, despite the loss, made an impressive 34 saves, showcasing her skills under pressure.
The Sceptres will look to build on this momentum in Game 2, which is set to take place on Friday evening, May 9, 2025, at Coca Cola Coliseum. Both teams know the importance of the next game, as the Frost will aim to even the series while the Sceptres will be looking to take a commanding 2-0 lead.
As the playoffs unfold, fans can expect more exciting matchups filled with intensity and skill. The rivalry between the Sceptres and Frost continues to heat up, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling series.
