The Toronto-Minnesota series came down to Game 5 at a sold out Coca-Cola Coliseum on Friday night to advance to play Boston for the Walter Cup. The first period looked different than the last several games, as there was a lot more space on the ice. Toronto dominated the first period with their forecheck and transition game, which led to several scoring chances and a strong offensive showing. Toronto out-shot Minnesota 13-7 and their defense excelled, blocking eight shots. 

2:47 into the second period, Turnbull drove the net and shot the puck but Rooney absorbed it. About 30 seconds later, Renata Fast out hustled Lee Stecklein for a loose puck and unleashed a fast wrister but was denied by Rooney. Toronto’s offense kept the foot on the pedal and created a Grade A scoring chance wherein Maggie Connors got the puck on her back hand in front of the net, but Connors wasn’t able to beat Rooney. Minnesota fired back with some offensive zone time where Maggie Flaherty had two quality chances, but missed both shots. Taylor Heise drew a tripping penalty from Sarah Nurse in the neutral zone with her skating ability. Minnesota’s power play was able to beat Campbell and register the first power play goal of the series. The puck bounced off of a Toronto defender, then moved to Kelly Pannek who shot it and Denisa Krizova buried the rebound. Toronto responded almost immediately, as Victoria Bach hit Rebecca Leslie with a beautiful pass on a two-on-one and beat Rooney glove side. Campbell would make the save of the game with a kick save on a netfront Pannek one-timer. Minnesota would go back on the power play, but Toronto’s excellent PK would kill it off. 13:57 into the period, Turnbull went 1-on-3 through the center of the ice but didn’t score. Shots would be close at the end of the period, 12-11 in Minnesota’s favor. 

Toronto came out fast in the third period. 4:25 in, Emma Maltais cut to the center of the ice and snapped the shot on net but Rooney smothered it. Off the very next faceoff, Fast whipped a shot from the blue line through a double layer of traffic, but was kept out of the net. Minnesota’s offense kicked back and created a great scoring chance off the rush, but it would be broken up by a well-timed sweeping pokecheck by Allie Munroe. The top line continued to possess the puck in the offensive zone and drew a hooking penalty. Heise beat Campbell with an absolute nip glove side through traffic to go up 2-1. Toronto rallied behind the raucous and supportive cheers of the home crowd. At 12:43, Hannah Miller had a great scoring chance, but Sophie Jacque got in the lane and blocked it. Toronto continued to try and tie it, but Maddie Rooney and the Minnesota defense locked down the net.  Kristen Campbell was pulled with about two minutes to go in the game, but the extra attacker didn’t help. Sophia Kunin got the puck and ripped it into the empty net. Toronto pulled Campbell again, but this time, Heise would get her second goal of the game. With this final dagger, the scoreline and series outcome were determined. Minnesota finished the upset of Toronto, winning 4-1 and completing the reverse sweep. Even after the defeat, the Toronto home crowd was cheering for their team and thanking them for their great inaugural season, providing a classy moment and a great example of how special and passionate the community and fans are in the PWHL. With this result, 3rd seed Boston will play the 4th seed Minnesota for the Walter Cup, beginning on Sunday in Lowell.