Ljungblom's shootout goal helps Victoire beat Torrent 2-1, secure top seed in PWHL playoffs

Montreal Victoire goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens (35) makes a save on Seattle Torrent's Gabrielle David (28) during first period PWHL hockey action in Laval, Que., on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Lina Ljungblom’s shootout goal helped the Montreal Victoire beat the Seattle Torrent 2-1 on Saturday night in the final game of the regular season to secure the No. 1 seed in the Professional Women’s Hockey League playoffs for the second consecutive season.

The Victoire (17-5-2-6) have 62 points, tied with Boston for most in the PWHL, but hold the tiebreaker over the Fleet. Montreal will pick its first-round opponent between third-seeded Minnesota and No. 4 seed Ottawa.

Abby Roque scored with a 5-on-3 advantage at the 7:25 mark in the second period to give Montreal a 1-0 lead.

Ann-Renée Desbiens had 23 saves for the Victoire.

The Torrent (8-1-4-17) — who have 30 points this season, fewest in PWHL — could have secured the No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 PWHL entry draft with a win. Vancouver will have the first pick.

Seattle’s Alex Carpenter scored with 9:49 left in the third period to make it 1-1.

Montreal’s Marie-Philip Poulin and Maureen Murphy returned from injuries that had sidelined the pair since mid-March.

The Torrent set a season high for attendance at 17,151.

This report by The Associated Press was first published on April 25, 2026.