Minnesota have marked their place in the history books this week as the first team to lift the Walter Cup in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), at a sold out Tsongas Center.
A five game finals series, Minnesota had the opportunity to win at home in game four. A game that had us on the edge of our seats, it wasn’t meant to be with a Minnesota goal turned back due to goalie interference and Boston capitalising in the 2nd OT to take them to game five.
Game five in Boston. It was as exciting as the previous, with the score nil all until 6:14 remained in the second period. Liz Schepers set the momentum in place for Minnesota and in period three they fought just as hard.
Michela Cava scored the second goal, and Captain Kendall Coyne Schofield would put the final nail in to secure the 3-0 win and lift the Walter Cup with her team. Nicole Hensley make 17 saves to record her shutout of the winning game.
Minnesota Captain Kendall Coyne Schofield spoke to PWHL media, ““It took every single player and every single person you see on this ice right now to make it happen. There’s a lot of people that counted us out when we had that [five]-game slide coming into the playoffs.
“But we got in, and we never looked back. It took a team effort from just everyone you see here…there were a lot of moments where we could have gotten down and out.
“There were moments where we were down, but we knew we were never out—we stuck together. We had so much fun in the making of because the Walter Cup champions.”
In the post-game celebrations, Taylor Heise was voted the first recipient of the Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP and lead the PWHL playoffs goals with five, and finished tied for first with eight out of ten games played.
THE WALTER CUP
The Walter cup has been designed to tell the story of women’s hockey. Watching as Minnesota lifted it and the commentators pointed out aspects of its design I was left with goosebumps.
One of the most striking elements of the cup is its base. Made from solid metal, the base includes the intricate detail of a puck shattering a pane of glass. This design element represents the breaking of barriers and the shattering of old norms, a fitting metaphor for the advancements made in women’s ice hockey.
Watch the video about its design and story here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAnWro01Vbw
The Walter family, whose name the trophy proudly bears, have been pivotal in the growth and recognition of women’s hockey. Their investment is not merely financial but deeply rooted in advocacy and support for the sport. The family’s contributions have ranged from funding grassroots programmes to providing scholarships and creating platforms for young female athletes to shine.
Furthermore, their influence extends well beyond monetary support; the Walter family has actively campaigned for equal opportunities in sports, pushing for better facilities, coaching, and exposure for women athletes.
This relentless drive to foster opportunities has helped elevate the visibility of women in sports, making the family a cornerstone of the women’s hockey landscape. Their role is a testament to how dedicated advocacy and genuine support can lead to tangible progress, breaking down the barriers that have long hindered the growth of women’s sports.
Minnesota’s victory in lifting the Walter Cup is more than just a moment for the team, but a significant milestone for women’s ice hockey history.
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