OTTAWA — After finishing at the top of the standings and making the Professional Women’s Hockey League playoffs for the third season in a row, the Montreal Victoire has finally captured its first Walter Cup.
The Victoire clinched the title with a 4-0 win over the Ottawa Charge in Game 4 at Ottawa’s Canadian Tire Centre on Wednesday night.
The clinch wasn’t on home ice, but Victoire captain Marie-Philip Poulin proudly hoisted the Walter Cup before devoted screaming fans who made the trip to Ottawa.
Marie-Philip Poulin #29 of the Montreal Victoire hoists the Walter Cup after the win against the Ottawa Charge in Game 4 of the PWHL Walter Cup Final at Canadian Tire Centre on May 20, 2026 in Ottawa. Troy Parla / Getty Images
Holding a crushed can of beer during the on-ice celebrations, Poulin said that when they came into this building for the third game, the team “knew it was going to be hard” but they “stuck with it.”
“It’s surreal,” Poulin told reporters after the game as her teammates took turns holding the trophy on ice.
Known as Captain Clutch, Poulin was also named playoff MVP, though she appeared to shake her head and point to goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens.
“She was a brick wall, all year long, all playoffs long. Again, tonight, a shutout,” Poulin said of Desbiens.
Ottawa Charge’s Gwyneth Philips has a goal from Abby Roque squeak through from a deflection during second-period action. Tony Caldwell / Postmedia News
After a scoreless start, Montreal’s Abby Roque marked the first goal of the night at 3:49 in the second period, prompting parts of the crowd to burst into cheers.
The Victoire was on fire in the third period, notching three more goals. At 9:58, Roque scored a short-handed goal to jailbreak Poulin. A few minutes later at 13:54, Maggie Flaherty found the back of the net, followed by Lina Ljungblom at 15:44.
Erin Ambrose #23, Kati Tabin #9, Natalie Mlynkova #96 and Dara Greig #17 of the Montreal Victoire celebrate after the win against the Ottawa Charge in Game 4 of the PWHL Walter Cup Final at Canadian Tire Centre on May 20, 2026 in Ottawa. Troy Parla / Getty Images
The beer was flowing at centre ice after the Walter Cup was presented to the Victoire, with the players basking in the championship with their teammates and families.
“It feels amazing,” a beaming Roque told The Gazette. “I couldn’t be prouder of this crew. They deserve it all.”
This season ends a three-year contract Roque signed with the New York Sirens before she was traded to Montreal last June.
Asked what was next, Roque immediately responded: “I think just partying with my girls and just enjoying it.”
Montreal Victoire’s Abby Roque celebrates their championship win against the Ottawa Charge at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Tony Caldwell / Postmedia
It was difficult for an elated Ljungblom to put into words how she was feeling, but she couldn’t wait to continue celebrating the hard-earned win with her teammates.
“I can’t describe it,” Ljungblom said in an interview with The Gazette. “Sometimes I smile like an idiot; sometimes I cry. I just don’t know. I’m so happy.”
Congratulations to the Montréal Victoire, the 2026 PWHL Walter Cup champions! An incredible and historic season — the Cup comes home for the first time ??? https://t.co/ZxhjDI0lrA
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) May 21, 2026
Montreal’s new title is not only a milestone for the team, but it’s also the first time a Canadian team has won the league’s championship — and the Victoire worked hard to clinch it.
The PWHL final is a best-of-five series format. Montreal played Games 1 and 2 on home ice, winning both those matches in narrow overtime wins last week — and putting the Victoire on the cusp of a sweep.
The series then shifted to Ottawa for Game 3. Facing do or die, the Charge bounced back and staved off elimination with a game-winning goal in the final minute. The win denied the Victoire a sweep and forced Game 4. A Game 5 would have taken place at Laval’s Place Bell.
The Montreal Victoire celebrate their Walter Cup win over the Ottawa Charge in Game 4 of the PWHL Walter Cup Final at Canadian Tire Centre on May 20, 2026 in Ottawa. Troy Parla / Getty Images
The Victoire’s milestone is the culmination of a hard-fought battle to the top. The team reached the playoffs in the first two seasons, but never made it past the first round, losing the first year in three straight overtime losses to Boston and the second year in four one-goal games to the Charge.
It also faced another hurdle this season when Poulin was sidelined with an injury in mid-March. The star forward missed 10 games before returning for the final regular-season match.
Montreal was the top seed heading into this year’s playoffs, and it opted to face two-time defending champions the Minnesota Frost in the semifinal.
That back-and-forth series forced a Game 5 at Place Bell, which was then postponed at the last minute due to illness. After sending the Frost packing with a decisive 3-1 win, the Victoire advanced to the final for the first time in its history.
The Charge, which finished fourth place in the 2025-2026 season, beat the Boston Fleet in the opening round of playoffs — leading to the first all-Canadian matchup in the Walter Cup championship.
Head coach Kori Cheverie of the Montreal Victoire is doused with beer by Jessica DiGirolamo #22 after the win against Ottawa Charge in Game 4 of the PWHL Walter Cup Final at Canadian Tire Centre on May 20, 2026 in Ottawa. Troy Parla / Getty Images
“I couldn’t be happier with our path. I thought we had a really hard path in round one against Minnesota and I honestly think it prepared us for our second round,” head coach Kori Cheverie said in a post-game interview.
‘They just worked so hard’
The historic win and celebrations weren’t on home ice, but the Victoire’s fanbase travelled from far and wide to support their team.
As the players were joined on ice by their families and friends to celebrate, the team’s faithful packed the front seats of the arena and continued to cheer.
Nadine Van Dalen, who happened to be visiting from Yukon at the same time as the finals, had Poulin and assistant captain Laura Stacey’s jersey numbers painted on her face. She said being in attendance for the final game was a “really big deal.”
“They just worked so hard,” Van Dalen said of the team’s journey to the championship. “They have been really working so well together as a whole team this season.”
Montreal Victoire players rush to the ice to celebrate their championship as the clock runs out on Game 4. Tony Caldwell / Postmedia
Elina Bailey made the trip from Vermont to Ottawa for Game 4. She said she became “obsessed” after a friend got her into the team a few months ago.
“Good job holding in there,” she said of Montreal’s perseverance, specifically referring to the opening round of playoffs. “Semifinals were absolute hell.”
Ottawa fan Liam Maahs said it was “fantastic” to see an all-Canadian matchup in the final. The Charge had a great season leading up the playoffs, he added, describing it was exciting and “a little bit nerve wracking at times.”
“I’m happy to support them and I’m glad to see us getting so many people coming out to all the games, playoffs or not,” Maahs said.
More photos
Dejected Ottawa Charge players on the ice after losing Game 4 and the championship to Montreal. Tony Caldwell / Postmedia
Victoire players celebrate their championship win against the Ottawa Charge at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa Wednesday. Tony Caldwell / Postmedia
Montreal Victoire players shake hands with Ottawa Charge players after their championship win. Tony Caldwell / Postmedia
Victoire captain Marie-Philip Poulin celebrates with the Walter Cup after the win against the Ottawa Charge. Troy Parla / Getty Images
Laura Stacey #7 of the Montreal Victoire lifts the Walter Cup. Troy Parla / Getty Images
Ann-Renée Desbiens #35 of the Montreal Victoire lifts the Walter Cup. Troy Parla / Getty Images
Victoire’s Jade Downie-Landry. Tony Caldwell / Postmedia
Victoire’s Hayley Scamurra. Tony Caldwell / Postmedia
Victoire’s Alexandra Labelle. Tony Caldwell / Postmedia
Victoire’s Erin Ambrose. Tony Caldwell / Postmedia
Victoire’s Kati Tabin. Tony Caldwell / Postmedia
Victoire’s Shiann Darkangelo has beer poured on her from the Walter Cup by Catherine Dubois. Tony Caldwell / Postmedia
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