The PWHL postponed Monday night’s Game 5 semifinal matchup between the Minnesota Frost and Montréal Victoire due to “player safety concerns related to illness.”
The league announced the decision Monday afternoon after consulting with medical personnel. In its statement, the PWHL said it prioritized “the health and wellbeing of players, fans, staff and all those involved in the competition.” The league also confirmed that their personnel found the symptoms were “not consistent with hantavirus.”
The league has not announced a new date for Game 5 yet, but officials said fans should expect another update within the next 24 hours. According to the PWHL, fans can still use their tickets for the rescheduled game, while anyone unable to attend will receive refund information at a later date.
The series heads into the delay tied 2-2 after Minnesota fought back to force a deciding game. The Frost opened the semifinal with a 5-4 overtime win in Montréal, but the Victoire answered in Game 2 with a historic 1-0 triple-overtime victory. Montréal then moved within one win of the Walter Cup Final after a 2-1 win in Game 3 before Minnesota extended the series with a must-win victory Friday night.
Whoever wins the rescheduled Game 5 will advance to the Walter Cup Finals against the Ottawa Charge who advanced Sunday after eliminating the Boston Fleet in four games.