Montreal Victoire, Ottawa Charge kick off clash for PWHL's Walter Cup

Montreal Victoire goaltender Sandra Abstreiter (30) denies Ottawa Charge's Rebecca Leslie (37) a chance at a shot on the rebound during third period PWHL hockey action in Ottawa, on Friday, April 3, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang)

It’s an all-Canadian clash for the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s championship trophy.

The Montreal Victoire host the Ottawa Charge at Place Bell in Thursday’s opener of the best-of-five Walter Cup series.

The Charge reached the final for a second straight year.

Ottawa bowed out to the Minnesota Frost last season in four games, all of which went to overtime.

Minnesota claimed the Walter Cup in the PWHL’s first two seasons, but the top-seeded Victoire dispatched the Frost this year in a semifinal that went the full five games.

Ottawa ousted the Boston Fleet in the other semifinal three games to one, with Charge forward Michela Cava scoring in double overtime in Game 4.

The Charge were the fourth seed heading into the playoffs.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2026.