Friday, November 21, 2025 | 6:00 PM CT (7:00 PM ET) | Grand Casino Arena
WATCH LIVE: FanDuel Sports Network North Digital, FOX 9+, TSN 1/5, TSN.ca, TSN App, PWHL YouTube & thepwhl.com (U.S. / International), More.
Jamie Hersch (Play-by-Play), Alexis Huss (Analyst), Rob Pizzo (Reporter)
TORONTO SCEPTRES
2024-25: 12-3-6-9 | 48 PTS | 2ND PLACE
Top Scorer: Daryl Watts-30 GP, 12-15-27 PTS
Preseason Scrimmages: 3-2 OTW at OTT | 3-0 W at OTT
MINNESOTA FROST
2024-25: 10-5-4-11 | 44 PTS | 4TH PLACE
Top Scorer: Kendall Coyne Schofield–30 GP, 12-12-24 PTS
Preseason Scrimmages: 5-2 W at NY | 6-2 L at NY
2024-25 SEASON SERIES: MINNESOTA WON 11-7 IN POINTS (TORONTO WON 8-4 IN 2024)
Dec. 7 at TOR: 6-3 MIN | Jan. 28 at MIN: 4-3 MIN (SO) | Feb. 11 at TOR: 3-2 TOR (OT) |
Feb. 23 at MIN: 2-1 TOR | Mar. 9 at TOR: 2-1 MIN (OT) | Mar. 30 at MIN: 5-2 MIN
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
The head-to-head series is tied 15-15 in points through 10 regular-season games all-time. Minnesota went 2-2-1-1 against Toronto during the 2024-25 campaign and then knocked the Sceptres out of the playoffs in the first round in four games, with the series ending in Minnesota on May 14 (4-3 OT). It was the second straight year that Minnesota ended Toronto’s season, following a five-game semifinal series win in 2024.
Toronto’s 12 regulation wins last season were tied for the most in the league, and its 73 goals against were the second fewest (Montréal, 67). However, the Sceptres managed just 20 points in road games last season — only Boston (19) had fewer.
Daryl Watts led Toronto with 12 goals and 27 points last season. Her 27 points ranked third in the PWHL. Watts was also one of three Sceptres with four power play goals last season — the rest of the PWHL combined to have three such players.
Renata Fast scored four of her six goals last season against the Frost. The PWHL Defender of the Year also had her best career game offensively in Minnesota on Jan. 28, notching a goal and two assists, despite a 4-3 shootout loss.
Four Sceptres rookies could make their PWHL debuts at forward tonight including draft picks Emma Gentry, Sara Hjalmarsson, Clara Van Wieren and Kiara Zanon. Gentry played her NCAA career at St. Cloud State and is the program’s highest PWHL Draft pick (2nd round, 11th overall). Van Wieren is also no stranger to the State of Hockey having played five seasons at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
Zanon, a second-round selection taken with a pick acquired by the Sceptres in a draft day trade with Vancouver, led the team in preseason scoring with three points, including two goals.
Prior to the season, both teams had six players compete in November’s Rivalry Series. Toronto’s Fast, Watts, Emma Maltais, Natalie Spooner and Blayre Turnbull suited up for Canada, with Jesse Compher for the U.S., alongside Minnesota’s Kendall Coyne Schofield, Britta Curl-Salemme, Taylor Heise, Kelly Pannek, Lee Stecklein and Grace Zumwinkle.
Just as they did in the league’s inaugural season, the Frost captured the Walter Cup last season despite entering the playoffs as the lowest seed, clinching the berth with an 8-1 win over Boston in the season finale. Each of Minnesota’s last five playoff games was decided in overtime, beginning with its clinching game against Toronto on a goal by Heise.
Captain Coyne Schofield was one of four PWHL players to record at least 12 goals and 12 assists last season, along with Watts, Sarah Fillier and Hilary Knight. She was held to one goal and four assists in her six regular-season games against Toronto but had four points in their four playoff games — two assists in Game 3 and two goals in Game 4.
In 30 regular-season games last season, Stecklein totaled three goals and six assists as part of a Frost defense that collectively led the league with 63 points. She led the PWHL with eight points in the postseason (four goals, four assists), with six of those eight points coming against Toronto.
Four frost skaters will make their PWHL debut tonight including first-round pick Kendall Cooper on defense, plus Peyton Anderson, Abby Hustler and Vanessa Upson at forward. Hustler, the team’s second-round pick, is the league’s first player from Prince Edward Island.
Mae Batherson, who played with Hustler at St. Lawrence University and is a fellow East Coast Canadian, led the Frost in preseason scoring with three points, including a pair of goals.
Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Brianna Decker will make her PWHL coaching debut tonight as a Frost assistant, replacing Mira Jalosuo who left to take the reins at St. Cloud State. The Wisconsin native is a three-time Olympian, winning gold in 2018, and a six-time World Champion having played for Head Coach Ken Klee and competing alongside several Frost players throughout her illustrious career.
The Frost had a busy offseason on the matrimony calendar with newly signed defender Sidney Morin tying the knot in June and goaltender Maddie Rooney married in August. Heise became engaged with her wedding date still to be announced.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“We’re all looking forward to the start of a new season and are excited to take steps towards accomplishing our goal of winning the Walter Cup. Despite our team looking different this year, we have a super eager group and we will be ready for whatever is thrown our way. We’re excited to kick things off in Minnesota. It’s go time!” - Sceptres captain Blayre Turnbull.
“I’m excited to see us compete on the Ice tonight. We have an outstanding group of veterans that bring their best game night in and night out. They’re setting a great example for our younger players on and off the ice. Opening night is always exciting, and I can’t wait to see and hear our great Frost fans!" - Frost Head Coach Ken Klee.
FRIDAY’S GAME: It’s been 178 days since the Frost hoisted the Walter Cup on home ice back on May 26, capturing back-to-back PWHL titles. Tonight, a second Championship Banner will be raised to the rafters of Grand Casino Arena to celebrate the triumph. Jayna Hefford, PWHL Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations, will be in attendance to honor the team during a special pre-game ceremony, and the first 5,000 fans in attendance will receive replica Walter Cup Mini-Banners. The festivities will include the introduction of the entire Frost roster, including 17 returning members from the 2024-25 championship unit alongside new teammates, coaches, and hockey operations staff. The Frost will also debut the league’s first-ever commemorative jerseys, featuring a Walter Cup patch and silver detail as a nod to the trophy’s distinctive shine and prestige.