Heise’s OT winner helps Frost sink Sceptres, sending Minnesota back to PWHL final

The Minnesota Frost pulled off a stunning comeback in overtime to eliminate the Toronto Sceptres in a thrilling 4-3 victory on Wednesday night. Taylor Heise scored the game-winning goal after Kendall Coyne Schofield netted two goals to keep the defending champions alive in the postseason.

Despite being the fourth seed, Minnesota managed to rally from a two-goal deficit to become the first team in the league’s history to win a best-of-five series in less than five games. After splitting the first two matches in Toronto, the Frost showed their resilience and determination to secure the win on home ice. Their only home loss in both the regular season and postseason came in Game 4 of the Walter Cup finals last season, where they fell 1-0 in double overtime to the Boston Fleet.

The Sceptres got off to a strong start with Julia Gosling scoring early in the first period to give Toronto a 1-0 lead. Emma Woods and Anna Kjellbin picked up the assists on Gosling’s goal. Toronto extended their lead in the second period when Hannah Miller found the back of the net for the first time in the series, with Natalie Spooner notching the assist.

Minnesota mounted a comeback in the second period, with Coyne Schofield scoring just 14 seconds after Toronto’s second goal. Heise and Michela Cava assisted on Coyne Schofield’s goal. Kelly Pannek then tied the game at 2-2 late in the period, assisted by Brooke McQuigge and Mellissa Channell-Watkins.

The Sceptres regained the lead early in the third period with Emma Maltais scoring her first goal of the series. Kali Flanagan and Sarah Nurse assisted on the go-ahead goal. However, Minnesota fought back once again, with Coyne Schofield scoring her second goal to tie the game at 3-3. Heise then sealed the deal in overtime with an unassisted goal to send the Frost to the PWHL Finals.

Nicole Hensley stood tall in goal for Minnesota, making 26 saves on the night. On the other end, Carly Jackson made 22 saves for Toronto in a losing effort.

With lower-seeded teams now boasting a 14-6 record in the postseason, Minnesota will now await the winner of the series between the Montreal Victoire and the Ottawa Charge in the PWHL Finals. Ottawa currently leads the series 2-1, with Game 4 set to take place on Friday in Ottawa.

The thrilling victory for the Frost will surely be a moment to remember for the defending champions as they look to defend their title in the upcoming PWHL Finals.