After winning the inaugural PWHL title a year ago and parading the Walter Cup around the state last summer and fall, the Minnesota Frost needed a late-season rally just to sneak into the league’s four-team playoff last week.

But if you know the brief history of the top North American women’s hockey league, that means the team in purple has got ‘em right where they want ‘em.

Last year at this time the Frost — then known simply as PWHL Minnesota — were the last team into the playoffs. They beat Toronto in the semifinals and Boston in the championship round to bring the state its first pro hockey title. With the Frost opening the semifinals in Toronto for the second straight season on Wednesday night, there is a sense that this is just how things were meant to be.

“The goal doesn’t change, the way we play doesn’t change, and how we get there, you know, I don’t think necessarily changes,” said Frost captain Kendall Coyne Schofield, who led the team in goals with 12 in the regular season. “We know you know how hard it is to win this league night in and night out…the parity is incredible. The league is so tight, every game is going to be a hard fought game, and I don’t think that changes as we head into the playoffs here.”

Games 1 and 2 of the series are Wednesday and Friday in Toronto, with the Sceptres having home ice with 12 regular-season wins to the Frost’s 10. Game 3 is Sunday afternoon at Xcel Energy Center.

That Frost fans get at least one home game is a mild surprise. Their last time in St. Paul, the Frost were blanked by last-place New York, putting their playoff odds in serious jeopardy. But Minnesota won its final two games on the road, including an emphatic 8-1 victory at Boston in the regular season finale, to get a crack at a repeat.

Still, their coach admits having to start a best-of-five series with two games on the road is a task that nobody envies.

“Starting out on their ice, it’s going to be tough, we know,” Frost second-year coach Ken Klee said. “It’s the first team to win three games, and it’s not easy to do, and it’s not easy to get there. Right now, we’re just trying to focus on Game 1 and being excited to get there.”

Minnesota and Toronto played six times in the regular season, with the Frost winning four. In last year’s playoffs, Toronto won the first two playoff games at home before Minnesota stormed back to take the series.

That was a hard bit of history the returning Sceptres players haven’t forgotten.

“I think we learned a lot from last year’s series, but obviously a new team (and) a new year this year,” said Toronto defender Renata Fast, who led their team with 16 assists. “So, I’m looking forward to getting started. But I also think in the back of my mind I’ll be using it for a little bit of motivation.”

Game 1 is a 6 p.m. CDT start at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto and will be televised by FanDuel Sports North in Minnesota.