Katy Knoll scores in third overtime, Frost one win away from PWHL championship

Have ever seen the movie Groundhog Day? Well, that is how the 2025 PWHL Finals have played out so far.

There have been three games, each needing extra time and ending in 2-1 scores. The only differences have been who has won the games and, in Saturday night’s case, how long the games have lasted.

After the Minnesota Frost and Ottawa Charge split the first two games of the final in Canada’s capital, the two teams dragged out a heart-stopping battle that started in the afternoon in the Twin Cities, only to end with a roaring crowd as the outside sky grew dark. Katy Knoll’s goal in the third overtime gave the Frost a 2-1 win, putting the team one win away from the team’s second consecutive Walter Cup.

It was another thrilling conclusion to what was a stellar game. This time, Minnesota didn’t have to wait until the third period to tie the game. After Charge forward Emily Clark scored her second goal of the series early in the first period, Frost defender Lee Stecklein evened the score with her fourth of the playoffs early in the second.

From there, it was the Maddie Rooney and Gwyneth Philips show.

Both the Frost and Charge goaltenders stood on their heads when it mattered most, going save for save as regulation ended and the overtime odyssey began. The second extra period saw the teams post 11 shots apiece, with neither netminder faltering. Unfortunately, despite an outstanding effort from Philips, it wasn’t enough, as she and her team now find themselves trailing in a series for the first time in the playoffs.

Unlike the first two contests of the championship series, where Ottawa carried the play for the majority of the time, the Frost was spurred on by the home crowd, coming out firing from the opening puck drop. The defending champions put 20 shots on goal through the first 40 minutes, ending the night with 47 in total.

Philips made 45 saves in the losing effort, while Rooney, making her second consecutive start, stopped 35 shots, improving her career postseason record to 7-2.

What might add a little more salt to Ottawa’s wound was how the team failed to capitalize on the power play. The Charge had four power plays on Saturday night, including two chances in the third to take the lead, but couldn’t convert. The Frost went 0-for-3 on the player advantage.

The Frost will have a chance to win the championship on home ice on Memorial Day in the U.S. Puck drop for Game 4 on Monday is scheduled for a little after 5 p.m. ET.

Minnesota had a chance to win the Walter Cup on home ice last year but fell to Boston in double overtime before winning on the road in Game 5.

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