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USAT’s Sam Cardona-Norberg breaks down all the rules you need to know for the start of the 2026 PWHL Playoffs.
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The Montreal Victoire are one win away from being crowned the 2026 PWHL Walter Cup champions, but not if the Ottawa Charge have anything to say about it.
The Charge scored a game-winning goal with only 55.5 seconds remaining in the third period to defeat the Victoire 2-1 in Game 3 to force Game 4 on Wednesday in Ottawa. Montreal has a 2-1 lead in the best-of-5 championship series, so Ottawa will have to muster another win to avoid losing back-to-back Finals.
Rebecca Leslie’s playoff game winner in the final minute of regulation marked the first of her career. She leads Ottawa, which doubles as her hometown, in both points (6) and goals (4) this postseason.
“I’m at a loss for words. It’s so special. It’s just an honor to play for my hometown… Nothing compares to how I felt in that moment,” Leslie said after the win. “Our group throughout the whole season has been resilient. We have a no quit attitude and we’ve been battling the ups and downs all season. We believe in our group.”
USA TODAY Sports is providing live updates of Game 4 of the PWHL Walter Cup Finals:
Maggie Flaherty finds the back of the net to extend Montreal’s lead over Ottawa to 3-0. Jessica DiGirolamo and Dara Greig were both credited with assists.
Montreal got some insurance on a shorthanded goal from Abby Roque while Ottawa had the advantage on a power play. The goal freed Marie-Philip Poulin from the penalty box. In the PWHL, the player in the penalty box is released if a shorthanded goal is scored.
Time is running out for the Charge, but they got an opportunity to tie it up during their third power play of the game after Montreal’s Marie-Philip Poulin was called for goalkeeper interference.
Montreal has a lead over Ottawa heading into the third period following Abby Roque’s goal. Montreal had six shots on goal, while Ottawa had five during the period.
Montreal’s Kati Tabin was called for slashing at the 06:38 mark.
Montreal’s Abby Roque opened the scoring in the second period to give the Victoire a 1-0 lead over Ottawa just 3:49 into the second period. The shot was assisted by Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey. It marks Roque’s third goal of the postseason, Poulin’s sixth assist and Stacey’s four assist.
We’re still scoreless after the first period. Montreal had six shots on goal, while Ottawa had five but neither team was able to find the back of the net. The first period hasn’t yielded high offense in the 2026 PWHL Walter Cup Finals. In fact, only one goal has been scored in the first period during this championship series.
Montreal’s Nadia Mattivi was called for boarding at the 15:02 mark of the first period, but Ottawa wasn’t able to capitalize on the power play.
How to watch Game 4 of the PWHL Finals?
Game 4 of the PWHL Finals between the Montreal Victoire and Ottawa Charge is set to begin at 7 p.m. ET at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. The matchup will be broadcast on ION and available for streaming on PWHL’s Youtube channel.
PWHL Finals: Stream, channel for Game 4
- Date: Wednesday, May 20
- Time: 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT)
- Location: Canadian Tire Centre (Ottawa)
- TV: ION
- Stream: PWHL’s Youtube channel
Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at [email protected] and follow her on X at @CydHenderson.
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