Montreal blanks Ottawa to claim first PWHL championship

Field Level Media|published: Thu 21st May, 11:42 2026

Shiann Darkangelo of Brighton plays for the Montreal Victoire during a PWHL game against the New York Siren on March 28, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena.

The Montreal Victoire captured their first PWHL championship on Wednesday night with a 4-0 win against the Ottawa Charge in the Walter Cup finals.

The road victory in front of 12,362 fans at the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata, Ontario, lifted the Victoire to a 3-1 series triumph.

Montreal captain Marie-Philip Poulin was named the Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP after finishing the postseason with eight points (two goals, six assists) in nine games.

"There was a group of women who came together to put this league together," Poulin said. "Three years later it all comes together to win the Walter Cup. It feels good, it feels really good."

Abby Roque opened the scoring at 3:49 of the second period and made it 2-0 midway through the third period. The Victoire added goals from Maggie Flaherty and Lina Ljungblom, while Ann-Renee Desbiens stopped 23 shots for the shutout.

Montreal is the first Canadian team to claim the Walter Cup, with the Minnesota Frost having won the league's first two titles in 2024 and 2025.

--Field Level Media

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