Minnesota Frost (w) vs Montreal Victoire (w) on January 22
The stage is set for a thrilling encounter in the Women’s PWHL tournament as the Minnesota Frost (w) take on the Montreal Victoire (w) on January 22. Both teams enter this game with high stakes—each fighting for a position in the league standings and momentum as the season progresses. The match will be hosted at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota, providing a perfect backdrop for this intense battle. Fans can expect a physical, fast-paced contest that promises to reveal which team is better prepared to handle the pressure in such a crucial fixture.
Minnesota Frost (w): Tactical Approach and Current Form
The Minnesota Frost (w) have shown remarkable consistency in their recent outings, winning 4 of their last 5 games. They are currently in the upper echelons of the PWHL standings and will be looking to solidify their position in the league table with another strong performance. Their playing style is built around speed and a relentless forecheck, disrupting the opposition’s transition play. Their transition from defense to attack is rapid, often catching opponents off guard with quick breakouts, especially in the neutral zone.
Key to their tactical system is the physicality they bring to the rink. The Frost (w) are one of the league's leaders in hits, averaging over 25 per game, making their forechecking game both aggressive and disruptive. They also boast a highly effective power play, operating at an impressive 22.1% efficiency, a stat they will look to exploit against a Montreal team that has struggled with penalty kill efficiency in recent weeks.
As for individual performances, captain and top scorer, Kelly Turner, has been the driving force for the Minnesota offense, with 12 goals and 7 assists in her last 10 games. Her ability to break free in transition and create scoring opportunities will be vital in this game. Defensively, veteran defenseman Nora Chapman provides stability, regularly blocking shots and helping the team maintain its structure. The key concern for the Frost (w) is the health of starting goalie Maddie Reynolds, who has been sidelined with a minor injury. Backup Emma Larson will need to step up to maintain the team’s defensive solidity.
Montreal Victoire (w): Tactical Approach and Current Form
The Montreal Victoire (w) have had a mixed bag of results lately, winning 2 of their last 5 games. However, their performances have been a tale of two sides: while they are potent offensively, they have struggled defensively, especially in key moments. They will need to tighten their defensive structure to compete with Minnesota's relentless attack. Their tactical approach is more possession-oriented, focusing on quick puck movement and cycling the puck in the offensive zone. Montreal excels in creating space and generating high-quality scoring chances through intelligent movement and passing.
One of the key aspects of Montreal’s play is their ability to control the game through the neutral zone. They often use quick, short passes to evade forechecking pressure and set up their offensive plays. They rank highly in puck possession, boasting a 55% possession rate—one of the best in the league—but their defensive zone play is less impressive, with a 77.8% penalty kill rate, which is among the lowest in the competition. Their lack of defensive consistency, especially when under pressure, has been a point of concern.
On the offensive front, their star forward, Claire Rousseau, has been sensational, contributing with 10 goals and 9 assists over the past 10 games. Her ability to generate shots on goal (averaging 3.4 shots per game) and create space in the offensive zone will be vital. Defensively, Camille Lefebvre has been solid in her own zone but will need more help from her partners, particularly against a high-pressure team like the Frost (w). Goalie Isabelle Gagnon has shown flashes of brilliance but will need to improve her save percentage (currently at 89.5%) to stand a chance against Minnesota’s potent offense.
Head-to-Head: History and Psychology
In the last 3 encounters between these two teams, Minnesota has had the upper hand, winning 2 out of the 3 games. However, these games have often been tight, with one goal margins and plenty of back-and-forth action. Montreal’s ability to recover after conceding has been tested on multiple occasions, but they have consistently been able to bounce back with quick responses. The most recent match between the teams ended in a 4-3 victory for the Frost (w), where Minnesota’s forechecking pressure proved to be the difference-maker, creating turnovers in the neutral zone that led to several high-quality scoring chances.
Psychologically, this match holds immense importance for both teams. For Minnesota, maintaining their strong form is crucial to asserting themselves as one of the league’s top contenders. For Montreal, this game represents a chance to prove they can compete with the league’s elite teams, especially on the road. They will need to overcome the mental hurdle of their defensive vulnerabilities, which have cost them in past encounters with stronger opposition.
Key Battles and Critical Zones
The matchup between Minnesota’s aggressive forechecking and Montreal’s puck possession game will be the key battle to watch. Minnesota’s forecheck, led by Turner and Chapman, will look to pressure Montreal’s defense and create turnovers in dangerous areas. The way Montreal handles this pressure will be crucial—if they can break out cleanly and utilize their puck movement effectively, they could frustrate the Frost (w) and create chances of their own.
Another critical zone will be the special teams battle. Minnesota’s power play has been one of the league’s best, but Montreal’s penalty kill has been subpar. If Montreal fails to contain Minnesota's power play, it could prove costly. On the flip side, Montreal’s ability to exploit Minnesota’s weaker penalty kill (at 79.4%) could be the opening they need to put pressure on the game’s outcome.
Match Scenario and Prediction
The game will likely unfold with Minnesota applying intense pressure early, using their forecheck to dominate the neutral zone and force Montreal into defensive mistakes. Montreal, for their part, will attempt to settle into their rhythm and use their puck movement to break through the Frost (w)’s defensive pressure. The first 20 minutes will be crucial; if Montreal can weather the storm and get on the scoreboard first, they could disrupt Minnesota’s momentum.
With Reynolds sidelined, this matchup swings even further in favor of Montreal, who will look to capitalize on the backup goalie’s potential lack of consistency. However, Minnesota’s physical style and power play will be difficult for Montreal to handle. The game will likely be a tight affair, with Minnesota’s forecheck and special teams proving to be the deciding factors.
Prediction: Minnesota Frost (w) 4-2 Montreal Victoire (w). The Frost’s aggressive forechecking and power play efficiency will give them the edge, even with the absence of their starting goalie.
Final Thoughts
This is a matchup that pits two distinct styles against each other. Minnesota’s power game and physicality will clash with Montreal’s possession-based approach. The outcome will largely depend on Montreal’s ability to handle pressure in the defensive zone and the effectiveness of their special teams. As the Frost (w) look to assert their dominance, Montreal will need to show resilience and efficiency in all areas of the game.
Who will come out on top: the team with relentless pressure, or the one with superior puck movement? Only time will tell.
