On the day the PWHL announced their official ring partners for the Walter Cup champions, the reigning champions, the Minnesota Frost, found themselves looking at the 2025 PWHL Playoffs from the outside.
The Frost are facing an uphill battle if they want a chance to play for a ring again this season.
Currently, two teams sit ahead of the Frost - the Ottawa Charge and Boston Fleet. They happen to be the two teams the Minnesota Frost will need to play to close out their 2024-25 season.
To make the playoffs, Minnesota must win both games, with at least one of those games coming in regulation. Right now they trail Ottawa by four points and Boston by five points.
The problem for the Minnesota Frost however, is that they no longer hold their fate in their own hands. Boston and Ottawa each play the Frost, but also have another game remaining with Boston facing Montreal and Ottawa playing Toronto. A win for Ottawa in either game, would secure their playoff spot. A win or two overtime/shootout losses for Boston would secure their playoff spot.
And a win by either team against Minnesota will eliminate the Frost, and lock in the playoff spot for both Boston and Ottawa.
Avoiding The Post-World Slump
Minnesota went 0-5 last year following the world championships backing into the playoffs. They turned it around in the postseason, but it could have been disastrous if not for a simultaneous PWHL Ottawa collapse.
This year, teams only had three games following the World Championships to secure their spot and tune back up for playoffs. After weeks apart, the Frost lost their first game back 2-0 to the New York Sirens.
Minnesota outshot New York by a dozen in the game, but it wasn't enough as the Frost faced the goaltending of Corinne Schroeder who was equal to the task.
All three teams remain in desperation mode to secure their playoff spot meaning each will be bringing their best possible lineup. If there's a team who could be susceptible to attack among the trio, the Boston Fleet are dealing with injuries to offensive leader Alina Muller, and starting goalie Aerin Frankel. You couldn't tell their vulnerability however, as Boston won their first game back without the stars 3-0 over Toronto.
With only two games remaining for each of the PWHL's six teams, Montreal and Toronto have punched their playoff tickets.
Who will fill in the final two spots? It's anybody's guess, but at the moment, the Minnesota Frost are facing an uphill battle.