Charge eye rebound in return home for Walter Cup final after falling into 0-2 deficit

Montreal Victoire goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens (35) makes a save on Ottawa Charge's Brianne Jenner (19) during first period PWHL playoff hockey action in Laval, Que., on Thursday, May 14, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

The Ottawa Charge face their greatest challenge of the season upon returning home.

Ottawa is down 2-0 in the best-of-five Walter Cup series against the Victoire, dropping both road games to Montreal in the Professional Women’s Hockey League final.

The Charge appeared set to take Game 1 only to see Nicole Gosling tie it up with 2.1 seconds remaining in regulation and then Abby Roque net the winner for Montreal. In Game 2, it was Maggie Flaherty who took her turn as hero for Montreal in overtime.

“This is what it comes down to,” said Charge coach Carla MacLeod. “It’s always so close, but there is a lot in our game that’s going really well, and obviously, we’ve got to dig ourselves out, but it’s a best-of-five.”

The Charge are undefeated at Canadian Tire Centre through the post-season and will look to build off the energy of a raucous crowd Monday night. Meanwhile, Montreal split its two road games in its semifinal series against Minnesota.

“We’re really excited,’ said Ottawa captain Brianne Jenner. “I think it’s going to be great getting back home, getting in front of our fans. It was amazing last series, and we’re just looking forward to their energy helping us.”

The Victoire are fully expecting Ottawa’s best game Monday.

“We know that they’re good in their building,” said Victoire coach Kori Cheverie. “We know that they’re a relentless fighting team, as we’ve seen in the past two games, and we know that the third win is going to be the hardest to get, and so we know that if we outwork them, if we bring our talent to the table and if we utilize our depth, we’re in a good position to set ourselves up for success.”

The margins through the first two games have been extremely slim. Neither team has managed a power-play goal, while goaltending has been a strength for both sides.

Montreal’s Ann-Renée Desbiens has a 1.49 goals-against average in seven playoff games, with Ottawa’s Gywneth Philips at 1.82 in six games. They’re both tied with a .939 save percentage.

‘I think the game and the stats speak for itself,” said Ottawa’s Emily Clark. “For two great hockey teams, and both want it really bad, and I think both teams are laying it all out there.

“This league’s physical, this league has great goalies, you’ve got to get a lot of shots, and I think we have some tight competition out there, obviously, and it’s a good matchup.”

The one area Ottawa could look to build on is its number of shots. A recurring theme this post-season has been getting outshot and Montreal holds a 55-46 edge between Games 1 and 2.

Coming into the final, much was made about how the Victoire could beat Philips, but they’ve found a way when needed.

Montreal’s overtime winner in Game 1 went in off a facemask and Saturday’s game winner came after Ottawa defenceman Emma Greco was tripped but no call was made and Montreal scored moments later. MacLeod referenced the missed call but would not use it as an excuse.

“We believe in what we do,” said MacLeod. “Our brand of hockey is phenomenal. These women, they put everything on the ice every single game, and you just trust the process at this point of the season, and we know good things will come our way.”

Montreal captain Marie-Philip Poulin has been a force for the Victoire through the playoffs and her teammates would love nothing more than to help the 35-year-old capture her first Walter Cup, presumably the only trophy missing from her repertoire.

“It would be phenomenal,” said Montreal defenceman Kati Tabin. “That’s obviously the goal. The things that Pou has done her entire life for hockey, every one of us looks up to her. So, it would be incredible to obviously win that for the team and for her.”

The Charge are hoping she has to wait a little longer.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 17, 2026.

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press