By Alexandra Beacock
The Minnesota Frost claimed a dramatic 6-3 victory over the Toronto Sceptres on Saturday afternoon at Coca-Cola Coliseum, securing their first win of the season.
This matchup marked the first meeting between the two teams since the Frost won the last three games in their 3-2 playoff series win in May. The Sceptres entered with a 1-1 record, while the Frost were searching for their first win, coming in at 0-2.
The atmosphere in Coca-Cola Coliseum was electric, with an attendance of 7,584 fans creating a wall of sound that fueled the Sceptres’ intensity. Chants of "Go Sceptres Go!" echoed through the stands as fans waved homemade signs and roared with every shot on goal.
Nevertheless, here are four takeaways from the Toronto Sceptres’ second-straight loss.
Frost had the Sceptres' defence’s number from the get-go
The Frost started strong, controlling the puck and testing the Sceptres early. Forward Claire Butorac opened the scoring two minutes into the game for Minnesota, but Toronto's Jesse Compher tied it up with a top-shelf finish in the first period.
Early in the second, Dominique Petrie restored the Frost's lead, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Despite strong offensive efforts from the Sceptres, including goals from Victoria Bach and Daryl Watts, the Frost capitalized on defensive errors, highlighted by two-goal performances from Britta Curl-Salemme and Michela Cava, who iced the game with two late tallies, including an empty-netter.
Toronto's defence struggled to find its footing throughout the game, as missed assignments and costly turnovers allowed Minnesota to dominate possession and dictate the pace of play for most of the game. The Sceptres' blue line frequently found themselves out of position, leading to open lanes for the Frost's forwards. Minnesota capitalized on these gaps with precise passing and aggressive forechecking, consistently generating scoring chances.
“You generally get what you deserve in hockey and in sport. I think we didn’t have a good first ten so we were down 1-0,” said Sceptres head coach Troy Ryan.
He further emphasized that failing to rebound and respond to shifts in momentum during key moments often ends up costing a team the game.
The middle frame proves vital
Despite goaltender Kristen Campbell's efforts—including several critical saves to keep the game within reach—the Frost's relentless attack eventually broke through in the second period.
The Frost outshot the Sceptres 36-24 by the end of the game, a marker of defensive struggles for the home side that underscored a need for improved communication and structure to contain their opponents and limit sustained pressure.
"The way the end of that second period went with us scoring a goal and getting high and then them scoring a goal, I think that's ultimately where the game was won for them and lost for us," said Ryan.
Toronto has a lot of offence to offer
While the Sceptres faced early challenges defensively, their offence kept them competitive throughout the game. Toronto's forwards relentlessly pressured Minnesota's defence, creating scoring chances with quick puck movement, aggressive forechecking, and effective cycling in the offensive zone.
“Our team needs to figure out a way to string some shifts together in the offensive zone to wear down our opponent and then we will continue to have a little more success,” said Toronto defender Renata Fast.
The top forward line, featuring Sarah Nurse, Daryl Watts, and Izzy Daniel, showcased excellent chemistry, consistently penetrating the Frost's zone and forcing goaltender Maddie Rooney to make key saves. Watts dazzled with her puck-handling skills, scoring a highlight-reel goal after dancing around the goalie, while Nurse's leadership and playmaking ability set up several key chances.
The Sceptres' ability to capitalize on their offensive pressure was critical in keeping them in striking distance despite their defensive struggles.
"A lot of the offence that we had was down low today, getting in front of the goalie's eyes, being able to pick up a couple dirty goals like that, they all count,” said forward Victoria Bach. “It's really important having them in their zone and getting those shots off.”
Minnesota’s hard-checking identity stands out
What truly sealed this game for the winning team, Minnesota, was their ability to come out of the gate with a fierce and aggressive approach, setting the tone early.
"In the first period when we came out buzzing, our forecheck was on, our D had good gaps, we were getting pucks to the net and obviously a big first goal for us," said Frost head coach Ken Klee.
Throughout the game, the Frost's forwards swarmed the Sceptres in the neutral zone, cutting off passing lanes and forcing turnovers, leading to high-danger scoring opportunities. Minnesota's forecheck was particularly effective, as players like Butorac and Curl-Salemme used their speed and physicality to keep Toronto pinned in their zone for extended stretches. The Frost's ability to win puck battles along the boards and create traffic in front of the net made life difficult for the Sceptres' defence, showcasing a style of play that kept the game competitive until the final buzzer.
Minnesota forward Taylor Heise emphasized the team's depth and cohesion as a point of strength compared to last season.
"We can play with whoever, we can go out there and grind away and do what we need to do. I feel like everyone on our team knows their role," she said.
Heise’s comment reflects the Frost's commitment to playing a structured, team-first game where every player contributes, showcasing the balance and unity that has become a hallmark of their success.
For Toronto, the key to getting back in the win column will be tapping into their own identity and addressing the defensive errors that have hurt them in consecutive games. While their offensive talent is looking strong, their ability to tighten up defensively and maintain consistent pressure in the opponent's zone will be crucial moving forward.
Learning from a hard-fought game against a tough Minnesota squad could provide the spark they need to regain their form.
NEXT: After a week off, the Sceptres will head to the Prudential Center to take on the New York Sirens on Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m.
The Sceptres return to Coca-Cola Coliseum to face off against the Montreal Victoire for the first time this season on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 2 p.m. EST.
Check out Intermission Sports' Instagram for game-day Sceptres content and much more. Stay tuned for lots more coverage of the PWHL from our team here at Intermission.
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