Montréal Victoire Advance to the Finals! (2026)

The Minnesota Frost traveled to Place Bell on May 12, 2026 to face the Montréal Victoire for the final time in the 2026 Walter Cup Playoffs (semifinals). Read about how the Montréal Victoire advanced to the finals after they stood their ground in Game 5 of this series. 

Game 5 | Tuesday, May 12, 2026 | Montréal Victoire 2, Minnesota Frost 1

The frustration from coming up short in Game 3 ignited the Montréal Victoire into playing with another level of intensity. This added fuel ultimately helped them secure the first lead of Game 4 as #28 Catherine Dubois scored the opening goal midway through the first period (1-0). Despite being outshot by the Minnesota Frost (15 SOG vs. 5 SOG), the Montréal Victoire were able to maintain their one-goal lead going into the second period of regulation.

Unwilling to back down, the Minnesota Frost tied the game, 1-1, with a goal scored by #8 Samantha Cogan eight minutes and fifteen seconds into the second period. Although the Minnesota Frost had a chance to extend their lead with a power play opportunity late in the period, the score remained tied as the Montréal Victoire’s penalty kill remained undefeated. In regards to puck possession, both teams were on a relatively even playing field with the Montréal Victoire having a slight advantage over the Minnesota Frost (6 SOG vs. 5 SOG). 

The tied standstill was broken three minutes and six seconds into the the last period of regulation when #29 C. Marie-Philip Poulin scored a vital power play goal which regained Montréal Victoire’s one-goal lead (2-1). After another period of the Minnesota Frost outshooting Montréal Victoire (8 SOG vs. 6 SOG), the Montréal Victoire closed out this series with a 2-1 win. The series ending win for the Montréal Victoire would not have been possible without the stellar goaltending of #35 Ann-Renée Desbiens who saved 25 out of 26 shots on goal by the end of this game. This gut wrenching loss for the Minnesota Frost does not take away from the commendable in net performance of  #35 Maddie Rooney who saved 15 out of 17 shots on goal by the end of regulation. After a jaw-dropping battle, the Montréal Victoire have dethroned the back-to-back reigning champion with a 3-2 series win. 

Points Leaders and Goaltending Stats

Montréal Victoire

• Points leaders: #29 C. Marie-Philip Poulin (1PPG, 1A) ended this game with 2 points

• Goals leader: #28 Catherine Dubois (1G) and #29 Marie-Philip Poulin (1PPG) scored the two Montréal Victoire goals of this game

• Assists leaders: #23 Erin Ambrose (1A), #29 C. Marie-Philip Poulin (1A), and #61 Nicole Gosling (1A) all ended this game with 1 assist

• Goaltending: #35 Ann-Renée Desbiens saved 25 out of 26 shots on goal

Minnesota Frost

• Points leaders: #8 Samantha Cogan (1G), #74 Abby Hustler (1A), and #77 Britta Curl-Salemme (1A) all ended this game with 1 point

• Goals leader: #8 Samantha Cogan (1G) scored the only Minnesota Frost goal of this game

• Assists leaders: #74 Abby Hustler (1A) and #77 Britta Curl-Salemme (1A) assisted the only Minnesota Frost goal of this game

• Goaltending: #35 Maddie Rooney saved 15 out of 17 shots on goal 

Overall Stats

• The Montréal Victoire outscored the Minnesota Frost (2G vs. 1G)

• The Minnesota Frost outshot the Montréal Victoire (26 SOG vs. 17 SOG)

• The Montréal Victoire had a higher power play success rate (100% vs. 0.00%) 

• The Montréal Victoire had a higher penalty kill success rate (100% vs. 0.00%)

SUMMARY: The Montréal Victoire’s successes with their special teams and overall ability to capitalize on their scoring chances ultimately helped them to secure this win. 

After regaining their momentum, the Montréal Victoire closed out this series triumphantly with a 3-2 series win. This loss for the Minnesota Frost does not take away from their admirable efforts during the series opener and in Game 4. Moving forward, the Montréal Victoire do have some gutsy competition ahead of themselves as they are scheduled to face the Ottawa Charge in the 2026 PWHL Walter Cup Finals. Overall, we can expect a thrilling series ahead as the playoffs come to an end. 

Below are the next scheduled match-up(s) and where to watch them:

Thursday, May 14, 2026 (Game 1)

• The Ottawa Charge will face the Montréal Victoire in Game 1 of this series on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 4:00 PM EDT. This game will take place at the Place Bell

  • Watch on ION, TSN, RDS, PWHL YouTube Channel

Saturday May 16, 2026 (Game 2)

• The Ottawa Charge will face the Montréal Victoire in Game 2 of this series on Saturday May 16, 2026 at 2:00 PM EDT. This game will take place at the Place Bell

  • Watch on ION, TSN, RDS, PWHL YouTube Channel

Monday, May 18, 2026 (Game 3) 

• The Montréal Victoire will face the Ottawa Charge in Game 3 of this series on Monday, May 18, 2026 at 6:00 PM EDT. This game will take place at the Canadian Tire Centre

  • Watch on ION, TSN, RDS, PWHL YouTube Channel

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 (Game 4) If Necessary

• The Montréal Victoire will face the Ottawa Charge in Game 4 of this series on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 7:00 PM EDT. This game will take place at the Canadian Tire Centre

  • Watch on ION, TSN, RDS, PWHL YouTube Channel

Game 5 is TBD if necessary 

Stay tuned for the next recap of the 2026 PWHL Walter Cup Playoffs!