The Minnesota Frost defeated the Montreal Victoire 5-4 [2] in overtime during Game 1 of the PWHL semifinal series on Saturday.
This victory gives Minnesota a critical early advantage in the series, shifting the momentum of the postseason as they battle for a spot in the finals.
The game took place in Laval, Que., where the Frost managed to secure the win despite a strong performance from the home team. The contest remained undecided through regulation, forcing the teams into an extra period to determine the winner.
Minnesota clinched the victory 4:30 [1] into overtime. The winning goal offset a historic hat trick recorded by Montreal's Stacey, who had put the Victoire in a strong position before the final whistle.
The Frost's ability to maintain composure in the closing minutes of regulation and capitalize early in the overtime period proved to be the difference. The 5-4 [2] final score reflects a highly competitive match that saw both teams trade leads throughout the evening.
With Game 1 now decided, the series moves forward with the Frost holding the lead. The Montreal Victoire will look to bounce back in the next meeting to avoid falling further behind in the semifinal bracket.
“The Minnesota Frost won Game 1 of the PWHL semifinal series 5-4 in overtime.”
By securing an overtime win on the road, the Minnesota Frost have gained a psychological and mathematical edge in the semifinal series. Winning the first game of a short series reduces the pressure on the visiting team and forces the home team, Montreal, to win consecutive games to reclaim control of the series.
