Vancouver Goldeneyes conclude season with thrilling OT win over Frost

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The Vancouver Goldeneyes ended its regular season on a high note after defeating the two-time Walter Cup champion Minnesota Frost 4-3 in overtime Saturday (April 25).

The Goldeneyes were eliminated from playoff contention on April 18, and they started collecting points towards the “Gold Plan” in the following game against Montreal.

After being eliminated from the playoffs, the team that accumulates the most points will get the first pick in the 2026 PWHL Entry Draft. Goldeneyes have five points after tonight’s win and Seattle also had five. But Vancouver had the most combined overtime and shootout wins after elimination, which means it will get the number one pick in the 2026 PWHL Entry Draft.

Vancouver hosted Minnesota in front of 11,310 fans at Pacific Coliseum for the final game of the season.

Surrey’s “Jenn Gardiner led Vancouver offensively with a goal and two assists, while Hannah Miller and Jaques each recorded a goal and an assist,” noted a PWHL news release Saturday (April 25).

Kendall Coyne Schofield scored the first goal of the game in the first period for the Frost, but Gardiner responded just 49 seconds later.

Sarah Nurse scored just over ten minutes into the first period for Vancouver, giving her team the lead for the first time in the game. Hannah Miller scored for the Goldeneyes just under two minutes into the second period.

Minnesota responded in the second with two goals by Kelly Pannek and Klára Hymlárová, tying the game and sending it into overtime.

Just under 90 seconds into overtime, Sophie Jaques for Vancouver and the fans jumped to their feet in celebration.

Goldeneyes Head Coach Brian Idalski on winning in OT after Minnesota tied it said, “It’s nice to end on a win streak and playing well; I’m proud of the group for finishing and playing the right way. Unfortunately, that’s been something that has happened more than a few times. There wasn’t a reason to panic — we had been there before. We had to go back to work and do what we were doing that got us there in the first place.”

Goalie Emerance Maschmeyer saved 28 of 31 shots on net for Vancouver, while Marlène Boissonnault saved 20 out of 24 for the Frost.

The team gave a special thank-you to the fans to cap off the season, including handing out gifts to select fans.

Vancouver forward Hannah Miller said about the support from the fans today, “It’s obviously super special. I’ve said it before, but growing up here and falling in love with the game here, playing minor hockey here — it means a lot. When the announcement was made last season that Vancouver was going to get a team, it was super exciting. Just to see, from game one all the way to this afternoon’s game, the support from the fans and everyone around the community when you’re out and about, it really is a hockey city. I’m just super proud to represent Vancouver and be able to play here.”

Saturday was also Pride night at the Coliseum, where the team and fans celebrated the 2LGBTQ+ community.

This included Stephen Scaccia of Cutting Edges, signing the Canadian and American anthems and Olympic gold medalist, professional soccer player, and Co‐Captain of the Vancouver Rise, Quinn, reading the starting lineup and taking part in the ceremonial puck drop.

Groups highlighted in the arena Saturday included Alphabet Sports Collective, Vancouver Pride Society, Qmunity, Out On Patrol, This Tournament Has Everything, and Mabel East Van Fastball League.