Friday, January 17, 2025 | 7:00 p.m. ET | Place Bell
WATCH LIVE: TSN 1, TSN.ca, TSN App, RDS, FanDuel Sports Network Extra, PWHL YouTube & thepwhl.com (U.S. / International)
EN: Kenzie Lalonde (Play-by-Play), Cheryl Pounder (Analyst), Kelly Greig (Reporter);
FR: Claudine Douville (Play-by-Play), Stéphanie Poirier (Analyst), Catherine Savoie (Reporter), Émilie Duquette (Studio Host), Karell Émard (Studio Analyst).
MINNESOTA FROST
4-3-2-2 | 20 PTS | 1ST PLACE
Top Scorers: Coyne Schofield (4-6) & Thompson (1-9)
Last Game: 3-2 SOL at NY on Jan. 15
MONTRÉAL VICTOIRE
4-2-1-2 | 17 PTS | 2ND PLACE
Top Scorer: Marie-Philip Poulin – 9 GP, 4-2-6 PTS
Last Game: 4-2 L at MIN in Denver on Jan. 12
2024-25 SEASON SERIES: TIED 3-3 IN POINTS (MONTRÉAL WON 10-5 IN 2024)
Dec. 28 at MIN: 3-2 MTL | Jan. 12 at MIN (DENVER): 4-2 MIN | Jan. 17 at MTL | Feb. 18 at MTL | Mar. 4 at MTL | Mar. 26 at MIN
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
The Frost beat the Victoire, 4-2, when the teams met in Denver on Sunday. Minnesota has never won consecutive games against Montréal, as their two inaugural season wins in the matchup were both followed by losses in the next meeting.
The Frost are the only PWHL team without a regulation loss on the road this season (2-1-1-0, excluding Denver) as their 2.25 points per game average on the road leads the league. Last season, Minnesota’s 1.17 points per road game (14/12) was tied for last in the PWHL.
Minnesota’s shootout loss to New York on Wednesday was their first road-defeat of the season. The Frost had a five-game road winning streak (excluding Denver) dating back to Game 1 of the PWHL Finals on May 19 in Boston.
Kendall Coyne Schofield had a goal and an assist against New York for her third multi-point game of the season. That ties the Frost captain with Jessie Eldridge (NY) for most multi-point games by a PWHL player this season.
Frost Assistant Coach Mira Jalosuo took another step towards becoming a United States citizen yesterday, passing her Naturalization Interview/Test. She came to the U.S. from Finland in 2009 to attend the University of Minnesota and has earned five World Championship Bronze Medals and 2018 Olympic Bronze as a player.
The Victoire’s last two games were a 4-2 win against Toronto in Vancouver and a 4-2 loss to Minnesota at Ball Arena. It is the first time in Montréal’s franchise history having consecutive games with six or more combined goals scored.
After starting her career with zero points in her first three games against Minnesota, Marie-Philip Poulin has five points in her last three games in the matchup with at least one point in each. The Victoire captain’s three-game point streak against the Frost is tied for her longest against any opponent (done so against both Toronto & Boston).
Montréal’s Kristin O’Neill has a faceoff win percentage of 66.4% (83/125) this season, which leads the PWHL (minimum 50 faceoffs taken). Minnesota’s Kelly Pannek has won 118 faceoffs this season, the most of any PWHL player.
Montréal has now scored goals in the first period for five straight games. The streak began on Dec. 28 against the Frost.
The Victoire are unbeaten in five games where they have outshot their opponent. The Frost have four wins and one overtime loss when they outshoot their opponent.
Amanda Boulier returns to the Montréal lineup after suffering an upper body injury on Dec. 21.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“There’s nothing easy about competing in this league. We played well but lost a tough one against New York. Now we come into a loud arena to face a good team that is going to be motivated to give us their best game. We need to bring the energy right away, finish our chances, and be responsible with the puck. It’s been a long road trip, and we need to click on all cylinders if we want to come away with three points.” – Frost Head Coach Ken Klee.
Montréal Head Coach Kori Cheverie on the challenge of facing such a fast team: “We need to slow them down in the neutral zone. Getting body positioning, getting on the D-side and physically slow them down.”
FRIDAY’S GAME: Prior to the game, Rosalie Tremblay and Anaïs Leprohon will be guests for the ceremonial puck drop after helping Canada win the gold medal in the IIHF U18 World Championship last Sunday. Their teammate, goaltender Marilou Grenier, will be in attendance on Sunday in Québec City. Marie-Claude Poulin will sing the National Anthems. Playing their first game on home ice in 2025, the Victoire will feel the support of the crowd as only a very limited quantity of tickets remain available for tonight. Linesperson Alexia Cheyroux (#98) from the French Federation of Ice Hockey will work tonight’s game as part of a collaboration with the IIHF. She also worked Tuesday’s game in Ottawa.