After the Frost squeaked into the playoffs for the second straight season, their thoughts naturally turned to the idea of going on and winning the whole thing again.

Monday night at Xcel Energy Center, history did repeat itself, and in more ways than one.

For the second straight year, Liz Schepers scored the game winner in overtime as the Frost beat the Ottawa Charge, 2-1.

With the crowd of 11,024 chanting “Back 2 Back” in the immediate aftermath of the victory, the Frost began a celebration on the ice that undoubtedly will continue for the foreseeable future.

The Walter Cup was brought out to center ice, where Frost captain Kendall Coyne Schofield accepted the trophy on behalf of her teammates and coaches. She skated around the rink with the trophy over her head before returning to center ice, where she was swarmed by teammates.

Each player got a chance to hoist the trophy, which was especially appropriate in this case due to how it truly took a team effort for the Frost to win the series.

Schepers, a fourth liner, was the hero after linemate Katy Knoll took the honors by scoring the game winner in overtime in Game 3.

Frost coach Ken Klee has talked all season about the need to have four lines contribute, and that proved to be the case in a series where goals were hard to come by.

“The coaching staff has the confidence in the fourth line to play us in big moments and in overtime,” Schepers said. “It gives us a ton of confidence to make plays and contribute to this team. I’m really happy we were able to take advantage of it and help this team.”

The Frost were thrilled to be able to deliver the championship on home ice. For Schepers, who hails from Mound, it was especially sweet.

“It’s pretty surreal,” she said. “I would have been happy with anybody scoring. But we were so happy to win here for our fans. Being from Minnesota, obviously it’s really special. I always have a ton of friends and family in the stands, and I don’t take that for granted.”

As for her own back-to-back accomplishment, Schepers again gave thanks for being on a team that trusts its depth.

“This one really hasn’t sunk in yet,” she said. “But super fortunate to be in those moments.”

Klee credited the group culture on the team, one where everyone is involved and feels a part of trying to win a championship, when asked what has allowed his team to come out on top in a league that is extremely competitive.

“We know we need everyone,” Klee said. “We’re so banged up. We have separated shoulders, bad knees and bad hips and bad groins. We have fractures to hands. Our injury list is really long.

“We knew we had to get to three wins to win the series, and we were blessed to get it done today.”

The Frost were clinging to a 1-0 lead midway through the third period on a goal by Kelly Pannek when Ottawa’s Danielle Serdachny centered the puck from behind the Frost net to a wide open Tereza Vanisova in the slot. Frost goaltender Maddie Rooney had no chance on Vanisova’s one-timer.

The Frost came tantalizingly close to retaking the lead five minutes later. Coyne Schofield was staring at an open net from just off the crease following the rebound of a Grace Zumwinkle shot.

The puck bounced over Coyne Schofield’s stick on her first swipe at it. Her next two attempts were blocked by the left pad of Ottawa goaltender Gwyneth Philips.

Schepers’ game winner came 12 minutes into overtime, making it the fourth straight game in the series to be decided 2-1 in overtime.

“That series was so neck and neck,” Rooney said. “So proud of this group for the rollercoaster we’ve been on the last two years, barely making it into the playoffs. But we came out on top in front of family and friends, which is so special.

“That on-ice celebration is something I’ll never forget.”