Montreal Victoire Wins First PWHL Championship
Abby Roque's two goals lead Canada to its first-ever Professional Women's Hockey League title, defeating Ottawa 4-0 in the Walter Cup final.
Montreal's Victoire made history Wednesday night by becoming the first Canadian team to win the Professional Women's Hockey League championship, blanking the Ottawa Charge 4-0 in Game 4 of the Walter Cup final.
Abby Roque scored twice—the game-winner at 3:49 of the second period and a short-handed goal in the third—to lift Montreal to its inaugural title in the league's three-year history. Marie-Philip Poulin, named the Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP, tied for the post-season scoring lead with eight points. Goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens stopped 23 shots for her second playoff shutout.
Ottawa, which lost to Minnesota in last year's final, couldn't generate enough offensive pressure. Despite three power-play opportunities in the game, the Charge finished the series 0-for-10 on the advantage. Montreal opened the flood gates in the third period with three goals, extending what had been a tight 1-0 game into a rout.
The victory caps a dominant playoff run for Montreal, which knocked out the two-time defending champion Minnesota Frost in the semifinal. The first two games of the championship series went to overtime before Ottawa staved off a sweep with a 2-1 win in Game 3 on Monday.
For Canadian hockey fans, the championship represents a significant moment—women's professional hockey at the highest level is now being won north of the border. The Victoire's success also signals that competitive depth across the league is solidifying after three seasons.