Saturday, December 7, 2024 | 2:00 p.m. ET | Coca-Cola Coliseum
WATCH LIVE: CBC TV, CBC Gem, cbcsports.ca, thepwhl.com (U.S. / International)
Daniella Ponticelli (Play-by-Play), Becky Kellar (Analyst), Rob Pizzo (Reporter)
Andi Petrillo (Studio Host), Hailey Salvian (Studio Analyst), Saroya Tinker (Studio Analyst)
MINNESOTA FROST
1-0-1-0 | 4 PTS | 3RD PLACE (TIED)
Top Scorers: Dominique Petrie (2G) & Sophie Jaques (2A)
Last Game: 2-1 W at BOS on Dec. 4
TORONTO SCEPTRES
1-0-0-1 | 3 PTS | 5TH PLACE
Top Scorer: Sarah Nurse – 2 GP, 2-1-3 PTS
Last Game: 3-2 L at OTT on Dec. 3
2024 SEASON SERIES: TORONTO WON 8-4 IN POINTS
Jan. 10 at MIN: 3-1 MIN | Feb. 3 at TOR: 4-1 TOR | Feb. 27 at MIN: 4-3 TOR (OT) | May 1 at TOR: 4-1 TOR
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Minnesota and Toronto square off for the first time since the Frost won the last three games in their 3-2 playoff series win in May. Both teams were shut out twice in that series after there were no shutouts by either team in the four regular-season meetings. Game 5 was 4-1, at Coca-Cola Coliseum.
The Frost scored a 2-1 victory at Boston in their road opener on Wednesday. Minnesota has never won consecutive road games in regulation in the regular season though they did in the PWHL Finals winning Games 2 & 5 to take the Walter Cup.
Dominique Petrie, the 27th pick in the 2024 PWHL Draft, has scored a goal in each of the Frost’s first two games of the season. Last season with Clarkson University, Petrie scored in at least two consecutive games three times while extending it to three games once (Dec. 2-Jan. 6).
Minnesota’s first-round draft choice and Toronto native Claire Thompson will make her hometown debut at Coca-Cola Coliseum. Fellow rookie Brooke McQuigge hails from nearby Bowmanville.
The Frost’s other Toronto native - defender Sophie Jaques - leads the team with 12 shots on goal trailing only Montreal’s Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey (14 SOG each).
Minnesota defender Maggie Flaherty begins serving her two-game suspension for an illegal check to the head.
Dating back to last season, Toronto has scored multiple goals in 11 straight home games, including its home opener (a 3-1 win over Boston). That is the longest such streak at home in PWHL history (along with 10 straight home wins).
Sarah Nurse had both a goal and assist in the loss to Ottawa on Tuesday. It was Nurse’s eighth career multi-point game in the PWHL’s regular season, but it was the first time Toronto had lost when Nurse registered two or more points (5-2-0-0 prior to Tuesday). Both of her goals this season have come on special teams (one shorthanded, one power play).
Toronto rookie Izzy Daniel is the first-ever Sceptres player born in Minnesota. The Minneapolis native won the 2024 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award as the top player in women’s NCAA hockey. She scored her first PWHL goal Tuesday in Ottawa.
Toronto’s Emma Maltais (4G, 15A) and Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle (11G, 8A) were the league’s top scoring rookies last season with 19 points each. Zumwinkle took home the Rookie of the Year award.
In the regular season, Toronto has allowed just eight power-play goals all-time, tying them with New York for fewest allowed in league history. Minnesota has scored just five power play goals, tying them with Boston for fewest scored in PWHL play. The Frost are the only team without a PPG this season.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“We are excited for another big test. We know that they are a good team and it’s a fun environment to play in. I like our start, but we definitely know that we need to keep improving to get wins in our league.” – Frost Head Coach Ken Klee.
“I think that we need to stick together as a group and stay connected on the ice. Focus on our communication and we should be in good shape.” – Sceptres forward Hannah Miller.
SATURDAY’S GAME: The Toronto Sceptres are accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys which will be donated to the clients of Holland Bloorview Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital. The Sceptres are welcoming many hockey organizations for various experiences including the Mississauga Hurricanes, Barrie Sharks, St. Lawrence Steel and Newmarket Panthers. PWHL partner Royale is bringing The Inaugural Six – a striking work of art that was crafted with the very hockey sticks used in the PWHL’s first season – created by artist Briony Douglas to Coca-Cola Coliseum for this game. The larger-than-life sculpture shaped into a hockey helmet, symbolizing the unity, strength, and resilience of the players was unveiled and previously on display at Toronto’s Eaton Centre.