Reigning Champions Open Preseason With A Win

The preseason officially opened today with games in both Toronto and Montreal. The Walter Cup champion Minnesota Frost faced off against the first-place team from last season, the Toronto Sceptres, in a rematch of the semi-final series, with Minnesota taking a 3-1 win.

“I think it gives our team a sense of confidence and accomplishment that we're the defending champs," said Minnesota head coach Ken Klee. "And now I think they've all enjoyed it this summer and can't wait to do it again. I mean we're not getting ahead of ourselves. Obviously, it's a long year. But also you know, you can put pressure on us because we're defending champs, but also we put pressure on ourselves. That's what we want”

Minnesota was able to prevail after they established a 3-0 lead in the second period, and although Toronto got on the board with a goal from Kaitlin Willoughby, the Sceptres weren’t able to overcome two quick second-period goals by the Frost.

The scoring got underway quickly as a screened shot by Lee Stecklein from the blue line beat a screened Raygan Kirk to make it 1-0 for Minnesota. This was Kirk’s (Toronto’s sixth-round pick) first start in goal for the team.

The pace was fast and the action continued back and forth in the first, with the teams trading chances. The increased physical play of the PWHL was new to several players on both sides, but NCAA rookies like Katy Knoll and Klara Hymlarova for Minnesota and Izzy Daniel and Lauren Bernard seemed to take to the style of play quickly.

Shots after one period were 8-7 for the Sceptres.

Tensions increased and some testiness emerged in the second with players on both sides exchanging some pushes and shoves after the whistle. Toronto’s free-agent signee Daryl Watts hit the post and showed off some natural chemistry with linemate Izzy Daniel, although their center Sarah Nurse sat out the game and was replaced by Victoria Bach.

At 15:16 of the middle stanza, rookie Katy Knoll put the Frost up 2-0 as she tipped a shot by Sophie Jaques past Kirk.

Just 14 seconds later, a wide open Britta Curl-Salemme skated to the hash marks and rifled a wrist shot high to make it 3-0. A Wisconsin graduate, Curl-Salemme might have had some familiarity with Kirk, who is a graduate (and NCAA champion) of Ohio State.

However, before the period, Toronto’s Kaitlin Willoughby scored with a shot from the high slot to set up an interesting third. However, there was no scoring even though the Sceptres pulled goaltender Carly Jackson for an extra attacker. Shots were 8-7 in the second, and finished 24-22 for the Sceptres.

The two teams also played a three-on-three overtime, which ended when Laura Kluge, who is fighting for a roster spot, jumped on a rebound and shoveled it into the net.

A shootout followed (five rounds), and again, Toronto came out ahead – Jackson stopped all five Minnesota shooters, and Julia Gosling scored on unsigned netminder Lucy Morgan.