The Frost had plenty to celebrate following their 6-2 victory over the New York Sirens on Sunday, a win that pushed them into second place in the PWHL standings with just a game left before the Winter Olympics break.

But when alternate captain Kelly Pannek and star forward Taylor Heise took the podium postgame — each scored a goal in the game — their thoughts were elsewhere: arrests and detentions, violent standoffs with protesters and the shooting deaths of two Minnesotans.

“It’s really important for us to acknowledge what’s happening in our community, but also the amount of hope and strength,” Pannek said.

A federal agent shot and killed Renee Macklin Good after Immigration and Customs officers stopped her car on Jan. 7, and on Saturday, Alex Pretti was tackled by several ICE agents before being shot to death. The largest local protest the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents was Friday, when tens of thousands marched in downtown Minneapolis in below-zero temperatures to protest.

“With Alex and Renee, thinking about their families, it’s obviously really heavy,” Pannek said while fighting back tears. “I think people have been asking a lot of us, what it’s like to represent our state, and our country, and I think what I’m most proud to represent is the thousands, tens of thousands of people that show up on the coldest days of the year to stand and fight for what they believe in.”

The Frost held a moment of silence for Pretti before puck drop on Sunday and as it came to an end, fans at Grand Casino Arena began chanting, “ICE out now.”

Pannek and Heise, both Minnesota natives who played for the Gophers, are two of six Frost players who will represent the U.S. in the Olympic Games in Milan Cortina, Italy, Feb. 5-22.

“We want this to be a safe place,” Heise said. “This is a place anyone can come watch our games, be a part of our atmosphere, but it’s the harsh reality we live in, and I think Minnesota, we’re coming together and we’re finding ways to support one another.”

Pannek and Heise acknowledged the privilege they have to play the game they grew up loving but added that it shouldn’t excuse them from discussing the fear and anxiety Minnesota has felt since the Department of Homeland Security’s crackdown on immigrants — called “Operation Metro Surge” by DHS — began in mid-December.

“I just thought it was really important to again hear it from our fans, and I know that they’re speaking on behalf of a lot of people around the state right now,” Pannek said. “And I just thought it was important for us to acknowledge that we support that message, as well.”

While the Frost were playing Sunday, Minnesota officials, including Gov. Tim Walz, were addressing reporters on the situation in the state, and more than 60 CEOs from some of Minnesota’s largest companies — including the Lynx, Minnesota United, Timberwolves, Twins, Vikings and Wild — signed an open letter “calling for an immediate de-escalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions.”

Also Sunday, Timberwolves’ pastor, Matt Moberg, released a statement critical of the operation and detailed being threatened by an ICE agent, and the NBA Players Association released a statement saying, “Now more than ever, we must defend the right to freedom of speech and stand in solidarity with the people in Minnesota protesting and risking their lives to demand justice.”

Before a game that was postponed after Saturday’s shooting, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch and Golden State coach Steve Kerr on Sunday shared their thoughts, as well. On Monday, a federal judge was set to hear arguments on the State of Minnesota’s request for a temporary injunction on the immigration crackdown.

“It’s really important for us to acknowledge what’s happening in our community, but also the amount of hope and strength,” Pannek said. “I think that the people of Minnesota are showing and standing up for what’s right, amongst the unnecessary and horrifying things that are happening.”

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