LAVAL, Que. — History is being written in the PWHL, and it’s a hockey fan’s dream come true. For the very first time, two Canadian teams are battling for the Walter Cup, and the energy is electric.
The Montreal Victoire punched their ticket in dramatic fashion, taking down the back-to-back champion Minnesota Frost in a nail-biting Game 5 on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, the Ottawa Charge proved they’re a force to be reckoned with by sweeping aside the Boston Fleet to secure their second straight finals berth. “It’s going to be something the fans haven’t seen yet,” said Victoire head coach Kori Cheverie. “The Walter Cup will have a new home this year.”
The best-of-five series kicks off Thursday at Montreal’s thunderous Place Bell, and there’s no shortage of drama to follow. Here are five key storylines that have us on the edge of our seats.
1. The Underdog Story That Keeps on Giving
Let’s be real: few predicted the Charge would be here. After a tough offseason that saw key players depart, Ottawa was written off by many. But this team thrives on proving doubters wrong. They snuck into the playoffs against all odds, then stunned the No. 2 Boston Fleet in just four games—a feat that, according to The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn’s model, had only a 17 percent chance of happening. “We definitely don’t see ourselves as the underdogs,” said Ottawa forward Michela Cava. “We have a really strong team, really good leadership, and the group is ready to take on anything.”
2. Montreal’s Elite Core vs. Ottawa’s Grit
The Victoire are the league’s top regular-season team, and for good reason. Led by superstars like Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Stacey, and Ann-Renée Desbiens, plus defensive anchors Erin Ambrose and Nicole Gosling, they just accomplished something no PWHL team has done before. But Ottawa isn’t backing down. They’ve got high-end talent of their own and a chip on their shoulder that makes them dangerous.
3. A Playoff Rematch with Bad Blood
Remember last year? These two teams clashed in the playoffs, and it was nothing short of legendary. Ottawa edged Montreal in four tight contests, with every single game decided by a single goal. Game 2 became the longest game in PWHL history—a quadruple-overtime marathon that tested every ounce of endurance. The Charge know they can hang with Montreal, and they’re hungry to prove it again.
4. The Goalie Duel We’ve Been Waiting For
Between the pipes, this series is a showcase of elite netminding. Ottawa’s Gwyneth Philips was the playoff MVP last year, posting a staggering .955 save percentage in that unforgettable run. She’ll face off against Montreal’s Ann-Renée Desbiens, a brick wall who’s been a backbone for the Victoire all season. When these two are on their game, goals are a precious commodity.
5. The Home-Ice Advantage
Montreal’s Place Bell is known for its deafening crowd, and the Victoire will lean hard on that energy in Games 1 and 2. But Ottawa has shown they thrive on the road, and they’re not intimidated by a hostile environment. “We know it’s going to be a battle,” Cava added. “We’re just excited to be in this position, and we’re going to give everything we have to try and come out with a win.”
With the Walter Cup up for grabs and a new champion guaranteed, this all-Canadian final is shaping up to be a classic. Grab your jersey, settle in, and get ready for some unforgettable hockey.