Minnesota won the inaugural PWHL championship series, and the team is poised to celebrate the victory in St. Paul on Friday evening.
PWHL Minnesota will celebrate Walter Cup championship Friday in St. Paul
The team won the league’s inaugural trophy with a 3-0 victory over Boston in a best-of-five series and have moved the festivities to Xcel Energy Center because of a rainy forecast.
The festivities will begin at 5 p.m. at the Xcel Energy Center. The team announced a change of venue Thursday because of a rainy forecast and expected turnout.
Wild correspondent Jessi Pierce will emcee. Deputy Mayor Jaime Tincher will issue a proclamation during the celebration, according to a team spokesperson. The event will also feature a DJ and photo station.
While the city of St. Paul hasn’t announced any official festivities to mark the historic win, Mayor Melvin Carter quipped on X that “Championship = Parade. Them’s the rules. Stay tuned”.
When Pioneer Press reporter Frederick Melo asked Carter if he was serious, the mayor replied with a GIF of former President Barack Obama quipping, “You think I’m joking.”
The team defeated PWHL Boston 3-0 to take home the trophy on Wednesday, two days after Minnesota lost in double overtime following an overturned goal that would have clinched the championship.
The women’s pro hockey league featured six teams in its inaugural season. In addition to Minnesota and Boston, teams were based in New York and the Canadian cities of Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto.
The group of Marcus Johansson, Marco Rossi and Ryan Hartman produced the first goal and the game-winner vs. the St. Louis Blues.