The PWHL‘s Minnesota Frost visit the Ottawa Charge tonight in a highly anticipated early-season matchup at Canadian Tire Centre, pitting the defending Walter Cup champions against the team that pushed them to the brink in last spring’s finals. Both squads finished third and fourth in the 2024-25 regular season with 44 points apiece—Ottawa edging out via more regulation wins—setting up another chapter in their intense rivalry that saw split results across six regular-season meetings.
Frost vs. Charge Best Bet
Game to go to overtime
Ottawa’s home-ice edge and hunger for revenge for last year’s loss in the final should give it a slight advantage in this matchup, but Minnesota’s experience makes this a coin flip. Don’t sleep on extra time—five of their last seven meetings went beyond regulation. This should be an extremely tight affair with a playoff-type game script, so there’s value in betting on extra time.
Ottawa Charge Strengths
Ottawa enters with momentum from a playoff breakthrough, having reached the finals for the first time behind a gritty defensive identity and opportunistic scoring. They posted a 12-2-4-12 record last season, allowing just 80 goals while generating 71, thanks to structured play and standout goaltending from Gwyneth Philips. Captain Brianne Jenner leads a balanced attack, with Emily Clark and Kateřina Mrázová providing clutch contributions—Clark’s overtime heroics in the playoffs still fresh in fans’ minds. The Charge thrive at home, where their forecheck disrupts opponents and forces turnovers.
Key players:
- Brianne Jenner: Two-way captain excelling in faceoffs and penalty kill.
- Emily Clark: Speedy forward with a knack for game-changing goals.
- Gwyneth Philips: Rookie sensation who shone in high-stakes net battles.
Minnesota Frost Strengths
As back-to-back Walter Cup winners, Minnesota brings championship pedigree and depth, finishing 10-5-4-11 last year with a league-high +9 goal differential (85-76). Their transition game and four-line balance overwhelmed Ottawa in the finals, clinching in four games highlighted by Liz Schepers’ overtime winner. Defenceman Lee Stecklein anchors the blue line with heavy minutes and offensive pop, while Kendall Coyne Schofield’s blistering speed creates chaos. Goaltending remains a strength, with the Frost excelling in tight, low-scoring affairs.
Key players:
- Lee Stecklein: Power-play quarterback and shutdown defender.
- Kendall Coyne Schofield: Dynamic leader driving the rush.
- Taylor Heise / Kelly Pannek: Scoring depth from clutch performers.
Head-to-Head & Tactical Battle
These teams know each other intimately—playoff wars featured overtime thrillers and defensive duels, with Minnesota holding a finals edge but Ottawa winning key regular-season tilts. Expect a chess match: Ottawa’s puck possession versus Minnesota’s counter-speed. Special teams could decide it, as both power plays hovered around league average last season. Early-season form suggests caution, with totals likely low amid rust and motivation to set the tone.