The Toronto Sceptres have won the first game of the 2025 Professional Women’s Hockey League postseason. On Wednesday night at the Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario, the Sceptres defeated the Minnesota Frost 3-2. With the win, the Sceptres lead the best out of five Walter Cup semifinal series one game to none.
The Sceptres were led by Julia Gosling of London, Ontario and Hannah Miller of Vancouver, British Columbia. Gosling had two goals and Miller had two assists.
Gosling and Miller have a unique connection. Despite being Canadian born, Miller was ineligible to compete for Canada at the 2025 International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Hockey Championship in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic because she her was under contract with China’s KRS Schenzhen until May 31, 2023. Miller had also represented China at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing. Under IIHF rules, a player needs to wait 730 days before switching nationalities. As a result of Miller’s ineligibility, Gosling was Miller’s replacement on Team Canada.
It was a strong start for Toronto as they scored the first three goals in the contest. The other Sceptres goal scorer was Canadian Olympic gold medalist Blayre Turnbull of Stellarton, Nova Scotia. Turnbull won a gold medal for Canada at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing.