PWHL sets schedule for 2025 PWHL Semifinals
The second edition of the PWHL Playoffs is set to begin on Wednesday night.
On Monday, the league formally revealed the schedule for the league’s second postseason, with the Montreal Victoire, Toronto Sceptres, Ottawa Charge and Minnesota Frost continuing their quest for the Walter Cup.
The path to the playoffs was very different for all four teams.
The Victoire were unquestionably the most consistent teams in the PWHL this season. The team started off strong, using great play from captain Marie-Philip Poulin and linemate Laura Stacey to establish themselves as one of the best teams in the league. While some teams tailed off after a series of hot starts, Montreal continued to stay at the top of the standings.
The Victoire tailed off in the second half of the season, losing six of their final 10 games of the season. Yet, they were able to secure first place for the first time.
The Sceptres had an abysmal start to the 2024-25 season, winning just two of their first eight games of the season. However, similar to what happened during the inaugural season, the team climbed up the standings thanks to a strong stretch of play, using a nine-game point streak to contend for first place once again, most of which without reigning league MVP Natalie Spooner.
Toronto wasn’t able to catch Montreal for first place, but was good enough to secure home-ice advantage for the playoffs with a second-place result.
Just like 2024, the Charge’s playoff hopes came down to the final day of the regular season. Unlike year one, Ottawa was able to get the win the team needed over Toronto to secure the franchise’s first postseason berth. The Charge dealt with all sorts of adversity, fighting injury woes to star players like forward Kateřina Mrázová and goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer. Yet, Tereza Vanišová and Gwyneth Philips stepped up to get their team to the postseason.
With enough regulation wins, the Charge finished third in the PWHL.
The reigning Walter Cup champions sneaked into the playoffs once again. The Frost had an incredible start to the season, trying to show that a championship hangover was merely a myth. Yet, the team struggled with players in and out of the lineup all season, paired up with losing nine of 11 contests in February and March, Minnesota faced the possibility of missing the playoffs entirely.
The Frost survived, winning three of their final four games of the season to secure fourth place, beating out the Boston Fleet on the final day of the season.
The Victoire made the decision to face the Charge in the first round, setting up a rematch between the Sceptres and Frost in the opening round.
(1) Montreal Victoire vs. (3) Ottawa Charge
| Date | Game | Time |
| Thursday, May 8 | 1. Charge vs. Victoire | 7 p.m. ET |
| Sunday, May 11 | 2. Charge at Victoire | 2 p.m. ET |
| Tuesday, May 13 | 3. Victoire at Charge | 7 p.m. ET |
| Friday, May 16 | 4. Victoire at Charge* | 7 p.m. ET |
| Sunday, May 18 | 5. Charge at Victoire* | 7 p.m. ET |
*if necessary
The Victoire play their home games at Place Bell, also the home of the AHL’s Laval Rocket. The Charge will be hosting Montreal at TD Place Arena, shared tenants with the Ottawa 67’s of the OHL.
(2) Toronto Sceptres vs. (4) Minnesota Frost
| Date | Game | Time |
| Wednesday, May 7 | 1. Frost at Sceptres | 7 p.m. ET |
| Friday, May 9 | 2. Frost at Sceptrs | 7 p.m. ET |
| Sunday, May 11 | 3. Sceptres at Frost | 6 p.m. ET |
| Wednesday, May 14 | 4. Sceptres at Frost* | 7 p.m. ET |
| Saturday, May 17 | 5. Frost at Sceptres* | TBD |
*if necessary
Toronto will play its home games at Coca-Cola Coliseum, home of the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. Minnesota will continue to play at Xcel Energy Center, the home of the Minnesota Wild.