The Montreal Victoire defeated the Ottawa Charge 4-0 on May 20, 2026, to win the PWHL Walter Cup [1].
The victory marks a historic milestone for the league, as Montreal is the first Canadian franchise to capture the title in the league’s three-year history [2].
Montreal secured the best-of-five series with a 3-1 result [3]. The decisive Game 4 was a shutout victory that cemented the team's place as the new champions of the league [1].
Abby Roque led the offensive effort by scoring two goals [1]. On the defensive end, Ann-Renée Desbiens recorded 23 saves to keep the Ottawa Charge off the scoreboard [1].
Following the victory, the team and its supporters held a celebration on May 21, 2026 [4]. The event took place at the Verdun Auditorium in Montreal, where fans gathered to recognize the team's achievement [4].
The Walter Cup has remained elusive for Canadian teams since the league's inception, making this win a significant shift in the competitive landscape of professional women's hockey [2].
“Montreal is the first Canadian franchise to capture the title in the league’s three-year history”
This championship breaks a three-year streak of non-Canadian winners in the PWHL, signaling a shift in power toward the Canadian franchises. By securing the Walter Cup through a dominant shutout performance, Montreal establishes a new defensive benchmark for the league and validates the growth of professional women's hockey within Canada.
