The road to the Walter Cup Finals hit a sudden detour on Monday night. The PWHL postponed the winner-take-all Game 5 between the Montreal Victoire and the Minnesota Frost due to "player safety concerns related to illness." Originally, the league slated the high-stakes matchup for Monday evening but has now rescheduled the game for Tuesday night.
The decision to pause the Walter Cup playoffs came less than three hours before puck drop. Women's hockey league officials confirmed the move followed consultation with medical staff to prioritize the health of players and fans.
Notably, while the PWHL didn't disclose the nature of the illness, they did clarify that symptoms aren't consistent with hantavirus. That mention likely stems from heightened public interest following a rare cruise-ship outbreak of the respiratory disease.
Montreal Victoire Illness Update: Minnesota Frost Roster Cleared for Game 5
Inside sources confirm that the outbreak remains contained within the Montreal Victoire locker room. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Frost reported no illnesses among their roster as of Monday. After monitoring the situation throughout the day, the league opted for a delay as the number of symptomatic players in Montreal increased.
This move marks a rare instance of a postseason game shifting for health reasons outside of the pandemic era. The league confirmed that a Tuesday match-up would ensure both teams can compete closer to full strength.
Montreal Victoire vs. Minnesota Frost: Winner Advances to Walter Cup Finals
Tonight’s winner at Place Bell advances to the Walter Cup Finals to face the Ottawa Charge. Ottawa secured their spot after sweeping the Boston Fleet on Sunday. The league will honor all tickets from the original Monday date.
The rescheduled puck drop takes place Tuesday, May 12, at 7 PM ET. US fans can watch the match on Scripps Sports.
