Watch: Minnesota wins inaugural PWHL Walter Cup

With two minutes remaining, leading 2-0, captain and Olympic gold medalist Kendall Coyne Schofield sealed the win with an empty-netter before hoisting the Walter Cup. 

Following a scoreless first period, Liz Schepers scored the game's first goal, tipping in a cross-crease pass from Sydney Brodt with 13:46 left in the second period. Brodt, who had initially fanned on a shot attempt, regained possession before throwing a pass behind netminder Aerin Frankel off the waiting stick of Schepers to make it 1-0, Minnesota. 

Carrying a 1-0 advantage into the third, Minnesota's Michela Cava made it 2-0 with 11:52 left. After gaining possession a step inside the zone, Cava made her way around the Boston net before throwing a backhander into traffic in front, which somehow snuck past the goal line.

Overall, Minnesota dominated the decisive Game 5 on Wednesday, outshooting Boston 44-17. Meanwhile, Nicole Hensley was solid in net for Minnesota, posting the shutout, while Frankel turned away 41 shots in a valiant effort between the pipes for Boston. 

Minnesota lost Game 1 4-3 but went on to outscore Boston 10-2 over the remaining four games. Their only hiccup was a 1-0 double-overtime loss in Game 4. 

Taylor Heise, the first player selected in the PWHL Draft, was named the inaugural Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP award winner. Heise recorded eight points in the postseason, including five goals. 

Backed by billionaire Mark Walter, owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Billie Jean King Enterprises, the PWHL marked a rebirth for women's professional hockey following the termination of the last remaining league, the PFH, in June 2023. The league, consisting of six teams, three in the United States and three in Canada, saw positive progression in year one, marked by a full house for Wednesday's decisive Game 5 of the Walter Cup Final.