Heading into the third training camp for the PWHL, in some ways the playing field was leveled by the expansion process, but expectations for existing teams started where they left off. The Minnesota Frost come into the season as two time defending champs with a slightly different look but the same intensity, while the NY Sirens are working to lift themselves up from the bottom of the PWHL standings.
With just over a week to prepare for the upcoming season, the two pre-season scrimmages between the Sirens & the Frost were extremely important for building team chemistry while also making important roster decisions.
Head Coach Greg Fargo noted that all teams were in the same boat and we’ll do what we do all year long, which is continue to lay some foundation and find ways to get better along the way.”
(image courtesy of Rachel Donner)
The Minnesota Frost were intent on brushing off any pressure they might be feeling to repeat a third time as league champion.
On that point, Frost Head Coach Ken Klee maintained, “we don’t really look at. We’re not looking at the end right now. We’re looking at the beginning, we know we have a starting point, and we have to get better.”
Minnesota’s Captain and Team USA leader Kendall Coyne Schofield appreciated the Rivalry Series games as extra tune-up time for some of the players. She also echoed Klee’s sentiment and the changes to the Frost’s lineup, “It feels like, in a way, it ended yesterday, but in a way, it’s been six months. So, it’s great to be back. Obviously, a lot of new faces.”
Out on the ice, they were clearly in regular season form in some aspects of the Frost’s typical game style, despite the mix and match lineups between the two games. The speed of Coyne Schofield stood out as always, along with the physicality displayed by the Frost in the first game.
In the 2nd game, US National Team players Taylor Heise, Grace Zumwinkle and Lee Stecklein entered the lineup, while Coyne Schofield, Morin, Pannek, and Curl-Salemme watched from the stands.
Despite the loss, the speed for Minnesota was still there, and Stecklein capitalized on a power play chance from Heise. Of the newcomers, forward Abby Hustler stood out the most, utilizing her size effectively throughout. She scored the Frost’s other goal in the second game.
For the NY Sirens, the more noticeable changes from last season bring a new energy to the team, showing a lightness to their camp and game, while still maintaining the “hard to play against” system that Head Coach Greg Fargo employs. First overall pick from 2024 Sarah Fillier is now joined by 2025 first overall pick Kristina Kaultonkoa & third overall pick Casey O’Brien.
Add to the mix veteran and former Montreal Victoire center Kristin O’Neill and you’ve got a formidable top six.
In fact, Fargo took the opportunity to try out different combinations for that top six over the course of the two contests. In game one, Casey O’Brien centered Kaultonkova & Anne Cherkowski, while in game two, Kaultonkova moved to a second line with O’Neill and fellow veteran Paetyn Levis.
Sarah Fillier jumped into that top line winger spot, and O’Brien became the primary assist getter for two of Fillier’s three goals in the third period, earning a natural hat trick. It remains to be seen what lineup he’ll go with next week when the season starts proper.
Veteran O’Neill is excited about the opportunities she’ll have in NY, including playing with Kaultonkova, who brings a new style to the team. She sees the top pick’s game as “really physical. She’s fast, which are two really big keys in this league. I think she plays confident.”
The other big question for the NY Sirens in this upcoming week will be goaltending. With the slight rule changes around goalie substitutions, teams will all roster three goalies with the third goalie essentially acting as EBUG for the night. Fargo emphasized there isn’t a competition for a roster spot between Kaley Doyle and Callie Shanahan but ice time is certainly at stake.
Shanahan went off the ice during the practice shootout on Thursday, but according to Fargo, she’s day to day and will be good to go for the season. The two presumptive backups split time in game one, while starter Kayle Osborne played the entirety of game two, making 25 saves on 27 shots.
The Minnesota Frost kick off their season on Friday, November 21st vs the Toronto Sceptres, where they’ll get to hang another banner from the rafters at Grand Casino Arena, while the NY Sirens begin their campaign Saturday, November 22nd on the road in Ottawa vs the Charge.
