Minnesota makes PWHL playoffs with Ottawa's loss

PWHL Minnesota claimed the league's final playoff spot after Ottawa lost 5-2 to Toronto on Sunday.

Ottawa needed a regulation win to pass Minnesota in the standings and reach the postseason. Toronto scored two empty-netters after Natalie Spooner gave her team a 3-2 lead in the third period.

Minnesota went 0-5 to finish the season after returning from the international break.

Toronto is the No. 1 seed entering the first Walter Cup Playoffs. On Monday, the team chose to face Minnesota as its semifinal opponent. Toronto could've elected to meet either No. 3 Boston or No. 4 Minnesota, so Boston will play against Montreal in the other semifinal.

The PWHL playoffs are best-of-five series. Toronto commences the postseason Wednesday at Coca-Cola Coliseum.