Frost wait to learn first-round PWHL playoff opponent

TL;DR

Kelly Pannek scored her 16th goal, but the Frost lost 4-3 to Vancouver in overtime. They will learn their first-round playoff opponent on Sunday, with potential Game 1 dates set for April 30 or May 2.

Key points

Kelly Pannek scored her 16th goal of the season.
The Frost lost 4-3 to Vancouver in overtime.
The Boston Fleet finished first in the standings.
The Frost will learn their playoff opponent on Sunday.
Game 1 could be on April 30 or May 2.

FrostVancouverBoston FleetMontreal

Kelly Pannek scored her PWHL-leading 16th goal of the season, but former Frost teammate Sophie Jaques scored 1 minute, 24 seconds into overtime to lead Vancouver past Minnesota, 4-3, in the regular-season finale for both clubs at Pacific Coliseum.

The win put the Goldeneyes into the top spot for the first overall pick in the June draft, pending Seattle’s home game against Montreal.

Kendall Coyne Schofield and Klára Hymlárová also scored goals for the Frost, who will find out Sunday who their first-round playoff opponent will be and when they will play Game 1. The Boston Fleet, a winner Saturday at New York, finished first in the eight-team standings and now has a 24-hour window to choose its first-round playoff opponent, either Minnesota or Ottawa.

If the Frost play Boston, they will play Game 1 on April 30. If it’s second-place Montreal, a loser at Seattle on Saturday, it will be on May 2.

“I think the mindset is celebrating the wins of the regular season, the successes we’ve had,” Coyne Schofield said. “Obviously, learning from the games we’ve lost are the moments we can get better from. Now, let’s turn the page, and the new season begins — and that’s playoff hockey. That’s the best hockey that there is.”

The Fleet beat the New York Sirens on Saturday to move into first place, but if Montreal were to win at Seattle, the Victoire would finish first. The first-place finisher then has a 24-hour window to make its decision. In the PWHL’s first two seasons, the first-place team lost to the team it chose to play.

That was Minnesota in 2024, and Ottawa last season. The Frost won the Walter Cup both years.

“I think every year’s different,” Frost coach Ken Klee said. “We’ve had a pretty solid core being able to stick with us, but obviously with expansion, we lost a lot of great players for us. This group had to come together just like every team.

“… For us, it’s just all about (players) knowing that they all have a role and they all are important. Whether you’re playing 10 minutes or you’re playing 20 minutes, you have a role and a job to do. We have an expectation for them, and they have an expectation of themselves, which is great.”

Q&A

Who will the Frost face in the first round of the PWHL playoffs?

The Frost will find out their first-round opponent on Sunday, with options including Minnesota or Ottawa.

When is Game 1 of the Frost's playoff series scheduled?

If the Frost face Boston, Game 1 will be on April 30; if they face Montreal, it will be on May 2.

What was the outcome of the Frost's final regular-season game?

The Frost lost 4-3 to Vancouver in overtime, with Kelly Pannek scoring their only goal.