Victoire wins 2026 PWHL Walter Cup

Montreal hockey fans had another reason to celebrate on Wednesday.

The Montreal Victoire won the PWHL’s 2026 Walter Cup Final after defeating the Ottawa Charge 4-0 in Game 4 at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, taking the best-of-five series 3-1.

Montreal became the first Canadian team to win the Walter Cup since the PWHL’s inception. The Minnesota Frost, which the Victoire eliminated in five games during the semifinals, won back-to-back championships in 2024 and 2025.

Victoire forward Abby Roque scored two goals, including the game-winner (a jailbreak goal) in the third period. While on the penalty kill, Roque fought off a Charge defender as she skated towards Ottawa’s net then roofed the puck with her backhand over goalie Gwyneth Philips’ pad.

It was Roque’s third and fourth goals of the playoffs.

Montreal defender Maggie Flaherty and forward Lina Ljungblom each added a goal to the team’s lead in the third.

Victoire captain Marie-Philip Poulin was awarded the Ilana Kloss Trophy as the most valuable player of the PWHL playoffs.

The Victoire entered the playoffs as the top seed after recording 62 points (16-6-2-6) during the PWHL regular season.

After the game, Roque talked about the emotional Walter Cup run during an interview on the ice.

“Honestly, just so much love for this group,” Roque said. “I mean the things we have battled through these playoffs, it was just out of this world. The amount of heart on this team, I love everybody and I couldn’t be prouder.”

The Victoire’s win capped off a memorable week of a hockey in Montreal. On Monday, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 in overtime during Game 7 to advance to the Eastern Conference Final.