Montreal Victoire goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens (35) makes a save on Minnesota Frost’s Kendall Coyne Schofield (26) while Victoire’s Hayley Scamurra (16) defends, during first period PWHL playoff hockey action in Laval, Que., on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
By The Canadian Press
May 12, 2026 | 7:45 PM
LAVAL — The Montreal Victoire are heading to their first Walter Cup final as they defeated the two-time defending champion Minnesota Frost 2-1 at Place Bell on Tuesday in the fifth and deciding game of their Professional Women’s Hockey League semifinal.
Marie-Philip Poulin scored the game-winning goal at 3:06 of the third period on the power play. The win sets up a best-of-five final against the Ottawa Charge, ensuring that the league will crown its first Canadian champion. It was Poulin’s second game-winning goal of the tight series.
It is the first time the Frost lost a game facing elimination, moving to 6-1. They have been in all of the league’s deciding fifth games.
Erin Ambrose made a cross-ice pass to Poulin, who beat Maddie Rooney on a sharp angle near the goal line.