Minnesota Secures Inaugural Walter Cup Victory Over Boston

In a decisive showdown on Wednesday, Minnesota clinched the first-ever Walter Cup by shutting out Boston 3-0 in Game 5.

The triumph marks the conclusion of the inaugural season of the Professional Women’s Hockey League, which commenced its action-packed journey on January 1.

Liz Schepers set the pace with an early goal in the second period, followed by Michela Cava’s fourth goal of the series in the third. Captain Kendall Coyne Schofield sealed the deal with an empty-netter.

Nicole Hensley showcased her prowess between the pipes, tallying her second shutout of the PWHL Finals with an impressive 17 saves. On the opposing end, Aerin Frankel put up a solid performance, turning away 42 out of 44 shots faced.

Taylor Heise of Minnesota earned the coveted Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP Award for her standout performance throughout the postseason. Heise led the playoffs with five goals and shared the league’s top scoring position with 10 points.

Reflecting on the victory, Heise expressed, “It’s been a roller coaster of emotions. I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else. This team’s so special, and we are all over the place, but Minnesota’s our home right now, and that’s something we’re gonna bring this back to.”

Captain Kendall Coyne Schofield, who welcomed her son Drew the same week the PWHL collective bargaining agreement was ratified in 2023, was visibly moved by the team’s achievement. “It means a lot,” Schofield stated. “It took every single player and every single person you see on this ice right now to make it happen.”

Michela Cava, a seasoned player with multiple championship titles across various leagues, emphasized the team’s unity and resilience during the playoffs: “Our team battled every friggin’ game. We had to play 10 games in how many days? And we all just grinded it out and stuck together.”

Minnesota’s road to victory faced a tense moment in Game 4 when what appeared to be a title-clinching goal by Taylor Heise was overturned for goaltender interference, leading to Boston’s Alina Muller scoring moments later to extend the series to Game 5.

The Walter Cup, named in honor of Mark and Kimbra Walter, who provided crucial support in the PWHL’s inception, signifies a significant milestone for women’s hockey. The Walters, also part owners of MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers, have played a pivotal role in shaping the league’s foundation.