Minnesota Frost Wins in Triple Overtime, Takes Series Lead

ST. PAUL, MN (May 24, 2025) – Katy Knoll became the hero for the Minnesota Frost in a thrilling triple-overtime victory against the Ottawa Charge, securing a 2–1 win on Saturday night at Xcel Energy Center. This win gives the Frost a 2–1 lead in the best-of-five PWHL Finals, with a chance to claim their second consecutive Walter Cup when Game 4 takes place on Monday.

The game showcased impressive performances from both goaltenders, as Maddie Rooney made 35 saves for Minnesota while Ottawa’s Gwyneth Philips turned away 45 shots. Emily Clark opened the scoring for the Charge, finding the net midway through the first period with a cheeky tap-in off a bouncing puck.

The Frost responded in the second period when defender Lee Stecklein scored from the blue line at 2:58, leveling the score at one apiece. From that point on, the game remained tied, leading to three tense overtime periods.

At 9:57 of the third overtime, Knoll took advantage of a rebound from a shot by her teammate Klára Hymlárová and executed a precise backhand shot to clinch the win for Minnesota. The memorable moment erupted into a celebration as her teammates rushed to congratulate her.

Minnesota goaltender Maddie Rooney praised her team’s defense, saying, “I thought everyone was rolling today… It was just a great team win.” Knoll expressed her appreciation for her line’s chemistry, emphasizing the importance of supporting each other through fast-paced play.

Charge head coach Carla MacLeod reflected on the intense competition, stating, “It tells you that there are two great teams competing hard for every opportunity.” Ottawa’s lone goal-scorer, Emily Clark, commented on the low-scoring nature of the series, attributing it to the high skill of both teams and their talented goaltenders.

Notable statistics from the game include Rooney’s back-to-back playoff performances with 30+ saves, and Knoll’s game-winning goal marking her second of the playoffs and first career PWHL game-winner. Stecklein made history by becoming the first defender to score four goals in a single PWHL postseason.

The crowd of 8,098 watched a game that spanned nearly five hours, building a charged atmosphere that kept fans on the edge of their seats. “These are the games you live for,” Knoll said, expressing her excitement following the victory.

Looking ahead, both teams are eager for Game 4, set to kick off at 5 p.m. ET on May 26, with Minnesota aiming to close out the series as the defending champions.