Sunday, December 1, 2024 | 5:00 p.m. CT | Xcel Energy Center
WATCH LIVE: FOX 9+, MSGSN, TSN 4, TSN.ca, TSN App, PWHL YouTube (U.S. / International)
Clay Matvick (Play-by-Play), Alexis Pearson (Analyst), Katie Storm (Reporter)
NEW YORK SIRENS
2024: 5-4-3-12 | 26 PTS | 6TH PLACE
Top Scorer: Alex Carpenter – 24 GP, 8-15-23 PTS
Mini Camp: 4-3 OTL vs MIN | 5-2 W vs TOR
MINNESOTA FROST
2024: 8-4-3-9 | 35 PTS | 4TH PLACE
Top Scorer: Grace Zumwinkle – 24 GP, 11-8-19 PTS
Mini Camp: 3-1 W vs TOR | 4-3 OTW vs NY
2024 SEASON SERIES: MINNESOTA WON 9-6 IN POINTS
Jan. 14 at MIN: 3-2 NY (OT) | Jan. 28 at NY: 2-1 MIN (OT) | Mar. 3 at NY: 2-0 MIN | Mar. 16 at MIN: 5-1 MIN | May 4 at NY: 5-2 NY
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
New York opens on the road for the second straight season having beat Toronto 4-0 on Jan. 1 in the league’s historic debut.
Top scoring defender Ella Shelton recorded 8 of her 21 points against Minnesota last season including 2G, 6A.
The Sirens have 8 new players on their active roster and they were all selected in the 2024 draft led by top pick Sarah Fillier.
Sarah Fillier led the pre-season in goals following a hat-trick performance in a scrimmage win over Toronto.
It’s a Minnesota homecoming for Blaine native Gabby Rosenthal who can make her pro debut after graduating from Ohio State University. Another former Buckeye, Paetyn Levis, hails from Rogers, MN and just inked a three-year deal heading into her second season with the Sirens.
Hired by the Sirens in June, Greg Fargo will coach his first PWHL game after 12 years at Colgate University.
New York had 5 players compete in November’s Rivalry Series including Alex Carpenter who scored 1G, 1A, while Minnesota had 7 players led by Grace Zumwinkle who tied for the U.S. lead in scoring with 2G, 1A.
Minnesota begins its defense of the Walter Cup at Xcel Energy Center where they won 10 of 15 games in the regular season and playoffs.
The Frost return 16 members from the championship squad including Playoff MVP Taylor Heise. All 7 new Frost players on the active roster were selected in the 2024 draft led by third overall pick Claire Thompson.
Rookie Brooke McQuigge tied for the pre-season scoring lead with 1G, 2A.
There is a total of 18 PWHL players from the State of Hockey including a league-high 8 members of the Frost.
Both teams had their highest scoring games in Season One against each other with five goals apiece.
Kelly Pannek recorded 6 of her 16 points against New York last season including 2G, 4A.
Nicole Hensley will make her second consecutive opening night start following 33 saves in a 3-2 win in Boston on Jan. 3.
Melissa Caruso will oversee her first game as Frost GM after joining the club in September following 15 years with the AHL.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“We’re excited to kick off the season and showcase this New York Sirens team for the very first time. Everyone in this organization has put in a lot of work leading up to Game 1 and finally we get to put that work on display. We’re going to put our focus into playing to our identity and building as a team as we navigate this season. I know our players are ready to compete, and I can’t wait to see it as we get this journey started in Minnesota.” – Sirens Head Coach Greg Fargo.
“We really liked what we saw during Mini Camp in Toronto from not only our returners but our new players as well. Winning in the PWHL is tough and requires depth. We feel confident our roster will compete with anyone in the league. Defending a championship is difficult, but this group is looking forward to that challenge and hope to make Minnesota proud once again.” – Frost Head Coach Ken Klee.
SUNDAY’S GAME: The Frost will celebrate their PWHL Inaugural Season Walter Cup Championship with a banner raising ceremony prior to puck drop. The first 8,000 fans will receive commemorative rally towels compliments of Woody Creek Distillers and PixMob’s immersive wearable LED technology will be a part of the game presentation, transforming the arena into a spectacle of light that synchronizes with the action on the ice. The Walter Cup will be on display for fan photo opportunities on the concourse at Section 118.