The Montreal Victoire, leading team in the PWHL, has selected the Minnesota Frost as their opponent for the 2026 Walter Cup Playoffs. This decision follows their first-place finish in the regular season, where they secured their spot with a win against the Seattle Torrent. In the other semifinal, the Boston Fleet will face the Ottawa Charge. Historically, the No. 1 seed has struggled, with the Victoire previously facing unexpected postseason challenges despite their strong regular-season performances.

By the Numbers
  • Montreal finished first in the PWHL with a decisive win over Seattle.
  • Minnesota scored a league-record 91 goals this season, led by Kelly Pannek with 16 goals and 33 points.
Yes, But

Despite their dominant regular-season records, No. 1 seeds like the Victoire have historically faced early exits in the playoffs, raising concerns about their postseason viability.

State of Play
  • The playoffs begin Thursday, with the Fleet facing the Charge.
  • The Victoire and Frost will open their semifinal series on Saturday, May 2.
What's Next

The Victoire will need to overcome their playoff struggles to advance, as they face a formidable Minnesota squad boasting the best offense in the league.

Bottom Line

The Victoire's choice to face the Frost is a high-risk move; if they cannot shake off their playoff past, they may miss yet another opportunity for championship glory.