Minnesota Frost cheer on Team USA women's hockey in gold-medal match

NINA MOINI: If you follow women's hockey, you know this rivalry well. The United States Women's Olympic hockey team and the Canada women's Olympic hockey team have defined Olympic gold medal games for nearly three decades. Since 1998, they've met in the Olympic finals seven out of eight times. The US has taken gold twice. They're trying for a third gold at this very moment, their final game against Canada.

And Minnesota fans have plenty of reasons to watch. Six players representing the US also play for the Minnesota Frost. Frost general manager Melissa Caruso is watching her players compete on the sport's biggest stage, and she joins me now to reflect on all of this. Thanks for being with us, Melissa.

MELISSA CARUSO: Thank you for having me.

NINA MOINI: So I don't what's going on since I'm live on the air. What is the latest in this game?

MELISSA CARUSO: The USA is on a power play right now with just one second left in the first period. They-- time is up. It's a tie game at nothing.

NINA MOINI: Ooh, OK. Where are you watching from? What are you up to right now?

NINA MOINI: Yeah, I'm actually watching-- this in the comfort of my own home. I thought it was just best for me to watch alone and see what happens today with a lot of our players having a lot on the line.

NINA MOINI: Yeah, I didn't hear cheering behind you. I'm like where is she at. Is it because you get nervous for them? It's better to be alone.

MELISSA CARUSO: Yeah, I would say it's a pretty stressful day for our team but really excited to see what they're able to accomplish today. There are numerous watch parties going on around the Twin Cities right now I'm sure, especially in St. Paul.

NINA MOINI: Yeah.

MELISSA CARUSO: My staff's getting together as well. So, yeah.

NINA MOINI: Yeah. Does it feel different to watch them in this moment at the Olympics than when you're watching a PWHL game?

MELISSA CARUSO: It is different. I think they've worked-- they've been working towards this probably since the day they were born without even knowing it. But what they're able to do at the PWHL level does help prepare them for this moment as well.

NINA MOINI: And Team USA women's hockey-- I just talked about it-- They've been so strong this entire Olympics. What have been some of the highlights for you just watching them shine?

MELISSA CARUSO: Yeah, I think if you're looking at the Minnesota Frost players on this roster alone, it's a group of players who really how to win. They know how to win in big moments. They're very competitive players. They're professional players.

They know what it takes to get things done today. So I think for me working with them on a daily basis and seeing what they're able to do with the Frost and then seeing them wear the-- wear their nation's colors is just really rewarding.

NINA MOINI: Are you talking with anyone who's over there? Are they in a bubble, or are you able to communicate and see how it's going for them?

MELISSA CARUSO: Yeah, I actually have some staff over there as well who have dual roles with the national team, so I have certainly kept in touch with them but, yeah, trying to give the players their space to be with Team USA right now to focus on that.

NINA MOINI: Sure. But you also have two other Frost players who are playing for Team Czechia. What have their journeys been like at the Olympics?

MELISSA CARUSO: Yes, their-- unfortunately their Olympic journey ended a little sooner than they would have hoped last week in not advancing to the medal round. But, again, for anyone who's able to wear their nation's colors, I think they have enjoyed the experience, and they're looking forward to getting back to our team on Monday to practice with us and get ready for our next game.

NINA MOINI: Oh, back to practice already on Monday. I love that. Gotta keep moving. So three Frost teammates I understand already have one gold medal from their win in 2018. Does having Olympic champions on your roster-- does it shift expectations for the team or does it mean much when they're back over here?

MELISSA CARUSO: I think I've always spoken pretty highly of our leadership group, and those three that you're talking about specifically are our captain and our alternate captains. So I think it's definitely step one. When you're a new player joining our team and you're looking up to this leadership group that you have that has been so successful so have really helped the movement of women's hockey over the course of their professional careers. Yeah, I do think it sets a pretty high standard for our team and what we are hoping to accomplish as well.

NINA MOINI: Well, because the Frost is a relatively new team. For folks who don't, it was founded in the summer of 2023. You're coming up on your fourth season this fall. What has it been like to see the amazing support for the sport and for women's hockey and just the growth?

MELISSA CARUSO: It's incredible. Our fans at Grand Casino Arena are the best in the game. And just seeing them show up for us every single home game, it's been really fun. It's a new fan base. It's a young fan base. It's a lot of girls who are looking at these athletes as mentors, and now they can look at the players on the ice with career aspirations and say this is something that I can do.

So just the visibility that the women's game is getting right now has just been fun. Obviously the Olympics has been elevating that, of course. This month we're really looking forward to the return of the PWHL season to see what new fans we get, especially after this gold medal game today.

NINA MOINI: Well, I want to let you get back to watching the game, Melissa, but I do want to what your setup is at home. What are the snacks? What are you doing? Or can you not even eat?

MELISSA CARUSO: I'm just sitting here with a bottle of water on the couch. I'm just watching the game, just trying to stay calm and-- calm, cool, and collected, that's my goal today.

NINA MOINI: I get it. Well, I thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us. Congratulations on all of this success and all the best at practice on Monday.

MELISSA CARUSO: Thank you so much.

NINA MOINI: Take care. That was Melissa Caruso, general manager of the Minnesota Frost.