The PWHL has crowned its first ever champions.

PWHL Minnesota star Taylor Heise after winning the PWHL Playoffs over PWHL Boston.

While the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers duke it out in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the PWHL Playoffs have concluded. PWHL Minnesota overcame a crushing overtime defeat in Game 4 to shut out PWHL Boston in Game 5 of the inaugural Walter Cup Final. As a result, Minnesota is the first-ever champions of the PWHL.

Minnesota’s run is rather remarkable considering the circumstances. They entered the PWHL Playoffs as the fourth seed, just three points ahead of Ottawa. PWHL Minnesota was drawn against Toronto in the semi-final after Torontio selected them as their opponent. Toronto won the first two games of the series before Minnesota stormed back to win the series in five games.

In the Walter Cup Final, they faced PWHL Boston. Boston faced Montreal in the semi-final and made quick work of them. Boston swept Montreal to advance and face Minnesota. Minnesota took a 2-1 series lead thanks to wins in Games 2 and 3. In Game 4, they thought they had the series won in double overtime.

Minnesota defender Sophie Jaques scored against her former team after she crashed the net. She celebrated with her teammates as the 13,000 fans in attendance went wild. However, video review determined goaltender interference occurred on the play. The game resumed and was won by Boston a little over a minute later.

In Game 5, Minnesota took control of the game. Forward Liz Schepers scored her first goal of the PWHL Playoffs in the second period. In the final frame, Michela Cava and Kendall Coyne Schofield added goals of their own to secure the victory for PWHL Minnesota.

Fans react to PWHL Minnesota’s triumph

Minnesota players celebrate the win against Montreal after a PWHL ice hockey game at XCel Energy Center.Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Fans of the new women’s hockey league took to social media to share their reactions. Many noted the significance of this moment. The PWHL has been extremely successful in its first season. They have broken a number of attendance records for women’s sports in North America thanks to the competitive and entertaining play on the ice.

“A successful inaugural season capped with a hard-faught (sic) finale that goes to the very end. Well done ladies and congratulations to Minnesota!” one fan wrote on social media on Wednesday night. “Congrats ladies!!! What a fantastic achievement!!!! Way to set the bar!!!” another fan wrote.

One PWHL Boston fan sent their congratulations to Minnesota after the game ended. “As a boston fan, can’t say i’m not disappointed but we absolutely fell apart and minnesota was simply the stronger team. can’t wait to see how next season goes!” they wrote.

Melvin Carter, the mayor of St. Paul, Minnesota, also congratulated PWHL Minnesota on Wednesday night. “We are the State of Hockey; it’s only right that the inaugural Walter Cup resides here. Congratulations @PWHL_Minnesota on a championship finish of an extraordinary season! #WeWonTheCup,” he said in his social media post.

Women’s hockey has certainly reached new heights this season. And PWHL Minnesota stands atop the league as the first Walter Cup champions. Hockey fans will certainly want to tune in next year as the team attempts to defend its newly won crown.