{"id":628258,"date":"2026-04-25T18:44:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-25T18:44:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/628258\/"},"modified":"2026-04-25T18:44:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-25T18:44:12","slug":"apr-25-minnesota-at-vancouver-pre-game-primer-pwhl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/628258\/","title":{"rendered":"APR. 25: MINNESOTA AT VANCOUVER PRE-GAME PRIMER | PWHL"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Saturday, April 25, 2026 | 4 p.m. PT | Pacific Coliseum<\/p>\n<p>WATCH LIVE: TSN 5, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tsn.ca\/live\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">TSN.ca<\/a>, TSN App, FanDuel Sports Network North Extra, FOX 9+, PWHL <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@thepwhlofficial\/streams\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">YouTube<\/a> &amp; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thepwhl.com\/en\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">thepwhl.com<\/a> (U.S. \/ International), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thepwhl.com\/en\/teams\/vancouver-goldeneyes\/where-to-watch\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">More<\/a><br \/>James Cybulski (Play-by-Play), Landon Ferraro (Analyst), Brianne Foley (Reporter)<\/p>\n<p>MINNESOTA FROST\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<br \/>13-3-4-9 | 49 PTS | 3RD PLACE<br \/>Top Scorer: Kelly Pannek \u2013 29 GP, 15-17-32 PTS<br \/>Last Game: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thepwhl.com\/en\/stats\/game-center\/325\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">5-4 L at SEA on Apr. 22<\/a><\/p>\n<p>VANCOUVER GOLDENEYES\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<br \/>9-2-4-14 | 35 PTS | 7TH PLACE<br \/>Top Scorer: Sophie Jaques \u2013 29 GP, 8-10-18 PTS<br \/>Last Game: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thepwhl.com\/en\/stats\/game-center\/323\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">4-3 W vs. MTL on Apr. 21<\/a><\/p>\n<p>2025-26 SEASON SERIES: MINNESOTA LEADS 11-1 IN POINTS<br \/>Dec. 27 at VAN (EDMONTON): <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thepwhl.com\/en\/stats\/game-center\/239\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">2-1 MIN (OT)<\/a> | Jan. 28 at MIN: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thepwhl.com\/en\/stats\/game-center\/270\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">4-1 MIN<\/a> | Mar. 21 at VAN: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thepwhl.com\/en\/stats\/game-center\/293\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">3-1 MIN<\/a> | Apr. 4 at MIN: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thepwhl.com\/en\/stats\/game-center\/307\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">6-5 MIN<\/a> | Apr. 25 at VAN<\/p>\n<p>WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW<\/p>\n<p>Minnesota has lost three straight games in regulation for the first time this season. Prior to embarking on their back-to-back Walter Cup runs, the Frost lost five straight in regulation to end the inaugural regular season and won two straight in regulation to end the 2024-25 campaign. They will begin the 2026 PWHL Walter Cup Playoffs either Thursday in Boston or next Saturday in Montr\u00e9al, determined by the first-place team\u2019s selection.<\/p>\n<p>Vancouver has just one point against Minnesota this season (0-0-1-3), its fewest against any opponent (at least four points against all other teams). Their most recent game was the first time opposing teams each scored at least five goals, as the Frost won 6-5 on Apr. 4. The Goldeneyes played in the second such game on Apr. 18 in Seattle (6-5 overtime win).<\/p>\n<p>Minnesota is coming off a 5-4 loss at Seattle on Wednesday, which was the Frost\u2019s 12th game this season scoring at least four goals. No other team in PWHL history has had 10 or more four-goal games in a single season.<\/p>\n<p>Kelly Pannek scored her league-leading 15th goal on Wednesday and also begins the day tied with three others for the most assists (17). No PWHL skater has finished a season leading both categories while the last three NHL players to do so were Connor McDavid, Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky. She leads the season series with seven points (4G, 3A) and her 32 points this season have doubled her previous career high.<\/p>\n<p>Taylor Heise scored twice on Wednesday against Seattle for the 24th multi-point game of her PWHL career (regular season and playoffs). That\u2019s six more multi-point games than any other skater in league history. Two of those games have come against Vancouver, totaling five points in four games (2G, 3A).<\/p>\n<p>Britta Curl-Salemme also has five points in the season series (3G, 2A) and has points in six straight away games (3G, 5A). Grace Zumwinkle has three goals in her last two road games, and Lee Stecklein has four assists in her last three.<\/p>\n<p>Kendall Cooper enters today in a three-way tie for the scoring lead among rookie defenders and needs one assist to surpass Sarah Fillier\u2019s rookie record of 16 helpers.<\/p>\n<p>Vancouver is competing with Seattle in the Gold Plan standings to earn the first overall pick in the 2026 PWHL Entry Draft. The Goldeneyes can secure the top pick with a regulation win combined with an OT\/SO win or loss of any kind by the Torrent, or with an OT\/SO win combined with a Torrent loss of any kind.<\/p>\n<p>The Goldeneyes beat the Victoire, 4-3, at home on Tuesday, and have now won three straight games for the first time and have scored a combined 14 goals in those three games. Prior to these three games, their most goals scored in any three-game span this season was nine.<\/p>\n<p>Tereza Vani\u0161ov\u00e1 is up to 49 career points with a goal and two assists on Tuesday, tying her career high in points (done twice before with two hat tricks last season). She also added three hits, giving her three games this season with a goal and at least three hits. Only teammate Hannah Miller (five) has more.<\/p>\n<p>Miller (North Vancouver) and fellow BC forward Jenn Gardiner (Surrey) have combined to score seven goals and 10 points in their last three games. The pair are tied for third in team points with 16, with Miller\u2019s third straight season of 14 or more and Gardiner two from tying her rookie total. Defender and North Vancouver native Nina Jobst-Smith has back-to-back assists.<\/p>\n<p>Sophie Jaques (1G, 2A) and Claire Thompson (3A) have three points apiece against their former team and are 1-2 in overall Goldeneyes scoring. Jaques, fresh off becoming the first defender to 50 career points, has four in her last two games and is one goal away from nine and a new single-season record at the position. Thompson has points in consecutive home games and is one away from tying her career high of 18.<\/p>\n<p>Sarah Nurse has goals in consecutive home games and is riding a three-game point streak with 14 shots on goal in that span. Of her 51 career points, 14 have come on the power play but none of them as a member of the Goldeneyes.<\/p>\n<p>Darcie Lappan stopped by Rogers Arena Thursday to try lacrosse with members of the Vancouver Warriors. Members of the Goldeneyes cheered on NLL playoff action Friday, and members of the Warriors will be at Pacific Coliseum today.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">WHAT THEY\u2019RE SAYING<\/p>\n<p>\u201cToday\u2019s game is an opportunity to close out the regular season on a high note and continue to gain momentum heading into playoffs. This is a special group and we\u2019re proud of what we\u2019ve accomplished but know there is still work to be done.\u201d &#8211; Frost goaltender Maddie Rooney <\/p>\n<p>\u201cMinnesota is a fun team to play against. We&#8217;re hoping to get a win Saturday. We had a tough battle against them last time we played them, and we&#8217;re hoping to get redemption this time. Being an expansion market, and none of us playing together last year, I&#8217;m really proud of how our group has come together [over the course of the season]. We&#8217;ve definitely put on a bit of a push in these last few games.\u201d \u2013 Goldeneyes Alternate Captain Claire Thompson\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>SATURDAY\u2019S GAME: Just two days after celebrating the one-year anniversary of the PWHL\u2019s Vancouver expansion announcement, the Goldeneyes will play the final game of their inaugural season, welcoming Minnesota to Pacific Coliseum. It\u2019s the third of four games on today\u2019s schedule with all eight teams in action for just the second time in league history in what will set a new PWHL single day attendance record. Fans are encouraged to remain in their seats for a special post-game ceremony. In addition to fan appreciation, it\u2019s the Goldeneyes Pride Celebration Unity Game, presented by e.l.f. Cosmetics, designed to celebrate Pride as a moment of visibility, belonging, and community, while recognizing the contributions of 2SLGBTQ+ athletes, leaders, and organizations across Vancouver. Developed in collaboration with local community partners, the game centers authenticity, inclusion, and representation, creating space for celebration, connection, and recognition throughout the PWHL game experience. Programming throughout the night highlights the role of 2SLGBTQ+ communities across all levels of sport and society, reinforcing the importance of visibility, access, and belonging both on and off the ice, and will include:<\/p>\n<p>Live ceremonial moments highlighting 2SLGBTQ+ voices and community representationCommunity organization presence and engagement on the concourseIn-game recognition and storytelling celebrating 2SLGBTQ+ impact in sport and societyFeatured in-arena entertainment spotlighting Vancouver\u2019s 2SLGBTQ+ communityPost-game engagement opportunities connecting players and community partners<\/p>\n<p>Stephen\u00a0Scaccia\u00a0of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cuttingedgeshockey.ca\/about\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cutting Edges<\/a>\u00a0will perform the national anthems.\u00a0The\u00a0Cutting Edges\u00a0is a Vancouver-based\u00a02SLGBTQ+ hockey initiative that creates opportunities for queer athletes and community members to engage with the game in affirming and visible ways. Through programming, storytelling, and community events, the initiative works to challenge traditional norms in hockey while fostering a more inclusive culture within the sport.\u00a0The Goldeneyes have collaborated with the Cutting Edges multiple times throughout\u00a0the 2025-26 season,\u00a0with players attending community skates in\u00a0December and February, the latter of which was hosted at the Agrodome for Family Day. Their involvement reflects the impact of grassroots leadership in creating more accessible and affirming spaces within the sport.<\/p>\n<p>Quinn, Olympic gold medalist, professional soccer player, and Co\u2011Captain of the Vancouver Rise, will read the team\u2019s starting lineup and take part in the ceremonial puck drop. As the first openly non\u2011binary athlete to compete and win a gold medal at the Olympic Games, Quinn has played a pivotal role in advancing visibility and representation for trans and non\u2011binary athletes in sport. A leader both on and off the field, their presence reflects the importance of inclusion, authenticity, and continued progress toward equity across all levels of sport. The defending champion Rise opened their NSL season Friday, with members of the Goldeneyes in attendance, providing non-stop women\u2019s sports in Vancouver.<\/p>\n<p>Groups that will be highlighted and welcomed in-arena include: <a href=\"https:\/\/alphabetsportscollective.com\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Alphabet Sports Collective<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vancouverpride.ca\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Vancouver Pride Society<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.qmunity.ca\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Qmunity<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/outonpatrol.ca\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Out On Patrol<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/tthe2025.mailchimpsites.com\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">This Tournament Has Everything<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mabelleague.com\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Mabel East Van Fastball League<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Stephanie Labb\u00e9, Sporting Director of the Vancouver Rise, will be signing autographs pre-game in the South Plaza. Labb\u00e9 was a goalkeeper for the Canadian National Team, winning Olympic gold in Tokyo 2020 and Olympic bronze in Rio 2016. <\/p>\n<p>Fans in attendance will also have first access to shop the PWHL\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thepwhl.com\/en\/news\/2026\/april\/09\/the-pwhl-and-peau-de-loups-partnership-is-rooted-in-authenticity\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">2026 Pride Unity Collection with Peau De Loup<\/a>, before\u00a0it launches\u00a0online next week.\u00a0Developed with the queer women-owned Vancouver-based apparel brand, the Peau De Loup x PWHL Pride Unity\u00a0Collection\u00a0is\u00a0anchored by the campaign \u201cTaking the Rainbow Back,\u201d reinforcing a core belief of the PWHL: Pride is not seasonal \u2014\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0foundational.\u00a0Crafted from upcycled fabrics, each piece is gender-inclusive and intentionally designed from the ground up, with\u00a0fit\u00a0and form in mind.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Saturday, April 25, 2026 | 4 p.m. PT | Pacific Coliseum WATCH LIVE: TSN 5, TSN.ca, TSN App,&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":628259,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[194298],"tags":[49,48,55],"class_list":["post-628258","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-vancouver","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-vancouver"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/628258","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=628258"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/628258\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/628259"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=628258"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=628258"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=628258"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}