The Montreal Victoire pulled off a stunning comeback to defeat the Ottawa Charge in Game 1 of the PWHL Walter Cup Finals on Thursday night.
In a game that seemed destined for an Ottawa victory, Montreal erased a late deficit to silence the crowd of rowdy Charge fans at TD Place. With their thrilling overtime win, the Victoire now hold a 1-0 series lead in their quest for the PWHL championship.
Abby Roque Nets 'Miracle' Overtime Goal
The game reached a fever pitch in the final few seconds of regulation. Trailing by one, Montreal pulled their goaltender for an extra attacker. The gamble ultimately paid off when the Victoire found the back of the net with just 2.1 seconds remaining on the clock.
That down-to-the-wire surge sent the match into a sudden-death overtime period where star forward Abby Roque got a lucky break. As she weaved through the Ottawa defense, an errant pass ricocheted off her helmet and into the back of the net.
"I just saw the puck go right between my eyes and… then it somehow went in," she said after the game. "I was just hoping that's a goal."
Victoire head coach Kori Cheverie summed up the wild on-ice twist by dubbing it " a miracle in Laval."
Laura Stacey Injury Update
The biggest question for Montreal Victoire fans heading into Saturday is the status of alternate captain Laura Stacey. During the final minute of regulation in Game 1, Stacey took a heavy hit into the boards from Ottawa's Gabbie Hughes.
The star winger appeared to be in extreme pain and had to be helped off the ice by Marie-Philip Poulin, sparking immediate fears of a season-ending leg injury. But Stacey provided a massive emotional lift by returning for the start of overtime.
Not only did she play through the discomfort, but she also recorded the primary assist on Roque’s game-winning goal. Stacey finished the night with 21:54 of ice time, proving her essential role in the Victoire lineup. While there is no official word yet on her status, Stacey's ability to finish Game 1 is a positive sign for her availability during the tournament.
PWHL Walter Cup Finals: What’s Next for Montreal vs. Ottawa
The heartbreaking Game 1 loss is a tough pill to swallow for the Ottawa Charge, who controlled the pace for the first two periods at Place Bell. Still, the best-of-five series format gives them a quick chance to rebound.
The quest for the PWHL 2026 championship continues with a high-stakes schedule:
- Game 2: Saturday, May 16th at 2 PM ET
- Game 3: Monday, May 18th at 6 PM ET
- Game 4 (if necessary): Wednesday, May 20th at 7 PM ET
- Game 5 (if necessary): TBD
Fans can stream the tournament on the PWHL YouTube channel.
