The Fleet needed just one point to secure a postseason berth, or they needed Ottawa to lose to Toronto, but their regulation loss and the Charge’s 2-1 victory meant Boston finished fifth in the standings.

Down but apparently never, ever out, the Frost reached the playoffs for a second consecutive season and will defend their inaugural Walter Cup title there after Saturday’s resounding 8-1 victory at Boston.

The PWHL regular-season champion Montreal Victoire bucked the standings on Sunday in selecting to open the playoffs facing the third-place Ottawa Charge rather than the fourth-place Minnesota