The Vancouver Goldeneyes are navigating a difficult inaugural season in the Professional Women's Hockey League, having secured only two victories in their first seven outings. The expansion team's challenges were compounded by a 3-2 overtime loss to the Minnesota Frost on Saturday, December 27, 2025, in Edmonton, leaving them winless in six road games this season.
A Grueling Road Stretch Tests New Team
Playing before a crowd of 10,624 at Rogers Place, the Goldeneyes fell in a heartbreaker despite a valiant effort. The schedule offers little respite, as the team heads home for just a single game before embarking on another demanding travel segment. "We're only home for one game and then we're back on the road for six of the next eight," stated goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer following the defeat.
The Bruderheim, Alberta native acknowledged the difficult start but focused on the long view. "In the road stretch we didn't come away with as many points as we wanted to," Maschmeyer said. "But it's a long season and there were a lot of positives today." She emphasized that the extended time on the road, while tough, provides a unique opportunity for a roster of players who are largely new to each other to bond and build chemistry.
Goaltending Duel Highlights Close Contest
Saturday's game was a showcase of elite netminding. Maschmeyer was stellar, making 32 saves on 34 shots after surrendering an early power-play goal. Her performance kept Vancouver in the game through four first-period penalties. At the other end, Minnesota's Maddie Rooney was equally formidable, stopping 27 of 28 shots.
Minnesota coach Ken Klee praised both goalies, singling out Maschmeyer. "Mesch is one of Hockey Canada's better goalies," Klee remarked. "When you look at the quality of goaltending we have in the league I think it was on full display today."
Vancouver's scoring came quickly in the first period. Abby Hustler tied the game at 1:18, just 24 seconds after a Minnesota penalty. Less than two minutes later, Izzy Daniel put the Goldeneyes ahead with a backhand rebound. The 2-1 lead held until Taylor Heise netted the overtime winner for Minnesota, beating Maschmeyer under the crossbar at the 2:57 mark.
Looking Ahead to a Home Game and the Takeover Tour
The match was part of the PWHL's Takeover Tour, featuring 16 neutral-site regular-season games. This was the third stop on the tour and the first of two scheduled visits to Edmonton in the 2025-26 season; the second is set for April 7, 2026.
For the Goldeneyes, the immediate focus is on a brief home stand. "Now we get the chance to define ourselves," said Maschmeyer, expressing optimism that the team can use the upcoming challenges to solidify its identity. The players view the coming road games as further opportunities to gel as a unit, despite the demanding "different kind of living" that constant travel requires.
With the season still young, the Vancouver Goldeneyes are choosing to embrace the learning process and the positives from a hard-fought battle against the two-time defending Walter Cup champions, hoping to turn their fortunes around as they continue to build their foundation in the PWHL.
