The Seattle Torrent secured three draft-order points on Wednesday night, taking the top position in the PWHL's 'Gold Plan' standings, which offers a chance at the first overall pick in the league's entry draft. This development followed Seattle's 5-4 victory over the Minnesota Frost, marking their first win against the Frost in the series. The Minnesota Frost, which had already clinched third place, had previously won three games against the Torrent in regulation, with a combined score of 13-3.
The Gold Plan Mechanism
Seattle's acquisition of three draft-order points positions them at the top of the 'Gold Plan' standings. This system determines the order for the PWHL entry draft, influencing the future composition of teams within the league. The opportunity for the first overall pick is a direct outcome of securing this top spot. Minnesota, despite their loss, maintains third place in the overall standings, having secured their position prior to the game.
On-Ice Outcomes and Player Milestones
Alex Carpenter and Gabrielle David scored nine seconds apart during the game. Carpenter contributed by knocking in a loose puck, tying the score at 2-all in the second period. David then sent a shot over goaltender Nicole Hensley, giving Seattle a crucial lead. Anna Wilgren also added a goal for Seattle, marking her third goal in two games. Captain Hilary Knight further solidified Seattle's lead in the third period, finishing off a pass from Theresa Schafzahl 2:29 into the period.
For Minnesota, Taylor Heise scored two goals, and Grace Zumwinkle added another, with each player reaching 13 goals this season. Minnesota forward Kelly Pannek capped the scoring with 12.5 seconds left in the game, becoming the first player in PWHL history to reach 30 points in a single season. Carpenter, prior to this game, had recorded at least one point against every other PWHL team this season, with Minnesota being the sole exception.
Upcoming League Trajectories
Both teams are set to conclude their regular seasons on Saturday. Minnesota will play its regular-season finale on the road against Vancouver. Seattle will host Montreal for its final game of the season. These concluding matches will finalize the standings and further define the outcomes of the 'Gold Plan' system for the upcoming entry draft.