Maggie Flaherty's goal sparks Minnesota's rise to the top
- Maggie Flaherty scored her first goal of the season during the game, giving Minnesota the lead.
- The match drew 14,018 fans, setting a new attendance record for U.S. women's hockey.
- With this win, the Frost climbed into first place in the Professional Women's Hockey League standings.
In the United States, a Women's Professional Hockey League matchup took place on Sunday, January 11, 2025, at Denver's Ball Arena. The Minnesota Frost faced off against the Montréal Victoire, and it was a thrilling encounter for hockey fans. This game was part of the league's Takeover Tour, showcasing potential expansion venues, and attracted a record crowd of 14,018 spectators, marking it as the highest attendance for a U.S.-based women's hockey game. Minnesota started the match on a high note, rallying back after trailing when Catherine Dubois scored for the Victoire early in the first period. However, the Frost’s Britta Curl-Salemme equalized shortly after. The momentum shifted in Minnesota’s favor when defender Sophie Jacques, returning from injury after missing five games, scored on a power play, providing a 2-1 lead by the second period. The Victoire's Jennifer Gardiner responded with a power-play goal, leveling the match at 2-2. The decisive moment came in the third period, when Maggie Flaherty seized an opportunity stemming from a mistake in the Victoire defense. She intercepted an errant pass in front of the goal and shot expertly past Montreal’s Elaine Chuli, clinching the game-winner for her team. To secure their victory, Michela Cava scored in the final moments of the match. This game not only showcased individual talent, particularly from Flaherty and Jacques, but also carried implications for the league standings, with this win positioning Minnesota into first place. In addition to the impressive gameplay, the match also had repercussions off the ice, as Montréal faced the challenge of losing one of their leading scorers, Laura Stacey, who suffered a leg injury during the second period and did not return to play. The atmosphere within the arena was electric, not only due to the on-ice action but also for setting a new attendance record, highlighting the growing popularity and support for women's hockey in North America. This game was pivotal, both for the immediate victory it provided Minnesota and for its broader implications regarding the push for greater recognition and expansion of women's sports.