Coach Kori Cheverie announced the starting lineup for Montreal Victoire’s Game 1 finals match against Ottawa Charge. Surprisingly, two key players are absent, while a talented young player from the Rookies is included. These changes promise to create surprises in terms of personnel and tactics for Ottawa in tonight’s match…
In a move that has sent ripples of speculation through the Professional Women’s Hockey League ahead of tonight’s pivotal Game 1 of the 2026 Walter Cup Finals, Montreal Victoire head coach Kori Cheverie revealed her starting lineup for the clash against the Ottawa Charge. The top-seeded Victoire will host the fourth-seeded Charge at Place Bell in Laval, Quebec, with puck drop set for 7 p.m. ET in what promises to be an electric all-Canadian showdown for the league’s championship trophy.
The announcement carried an element of surprise that few expected just hours before the opening game of the best-of-five series. Two of Montreal’s most dependable contributors from the regular season and playoffs will not dress tonight, while a highly regarded young forward who spent much of the year developing with the team’s rookie and affiliate program has earned a spot in the lineup. Cheverie’s decision underscores the depth she has built and signals a willingness to adapt tactics on the fly against a resilient Ottawa squad that has already proven it can upset higher seeds.
The absences involve veteran forward Laura Stacey, who led the Victoire in regular-season scoring with 22 points and delivered crucial goals throughout the playoffs, and defensive stalwart Kati Tabin, a steady presence on the blue line known for her shot-blocking and physical play. Both players are listed as day-to-day with what the team described as maintenance issues following the grueling five-game semifinal series against the Minnesota Frost. Stacey’s absence in particular removes one of the league’s most dynamic offensive threats and a player who had formed strong chemistry with captain Marie-Philip Poulin and Catherine Dubois.
Stepping into the spotlight is 22-year-old forward Skylar Irving, a talented rookie who impressed during training camp and earned limited regular-season minutes before shining in the organization’s development program. Irving brings speed, skill, and a fearless approach to the forecheck that could inject fresh energy into Montreal’s attack. Her inclusion alongside Poulin and Dubois on the top line represents a significant tactical shift, moving away from the more experienced combinations that carried the team through the regular season and into the playoffs.
Cheverie addressed the lineup decisions in a brief pre-game media availability, emphasizing trust in the group’s collective strength. “We have a lot of faith in every player who puts on the Victoire jersey,” she said. “Laura and Kati have been huge for us all year, but this is a long series and we need everyone ready. Skylar has earned this opportunity with her work ethic and the way she plays the game. She’s going to bring a different element that Ottawa hasn’t seen much of from us this postseason.”
The changes arrive at a critical moment. Montreal enters the finals as the regular-season champions with a 1-2-1 record against Ottawa during the regular season, but the Charge have shown they are more than capable of rising to the occasion. Ottawa advanced by defeating the Boston Fleet in four games, capped by Michela Cava’s dramatic double-overtime winner in Game 4. Goaltender Gwyneth Philips has been outstanding in the playoffs, and the Charge’s balanced attack featuring Cava, Ronja Savolainen, and a deep forward group makes them dangerous in transition.
Without Stacey’s net-front presence and Tabin’s shutdown ability, Montreal will likely lean more heavily on speed and puck possession. Irving’s addition is expected to stretch the ice and create more odd-man rushes, forcing Ottawa’s defense to adjust to a quicker, more aggressive forecheck. Cheverie has historically been willing to roll four lines and use her depth, but tonight’s lineup suggests an even more fluid approach, with potential for frequent line juggling and defensive pairings that pair experience with youth.
Ann-Renée Desbiens is expected to start in goal for Montreal, continuing her strong playoff form that included several highlight-reel saves in the marathon semifinal series. Opposite her, Philips will look to replicate the heroics that helped Ottawa reach its second straight Walter Cup Final. The matchup between the two Canadian netminders adds another layer of intrigue to an already compelling series.
The stakes could not be higher. This is the first all-Canadian Walter Cup Final in PWHL history, guaranteeing that the trophy will remain north of the border. For Montreal, it represents a chance to claim the franchise’s first championship after falling short in previous postseasons. For Ottawa, it is an opportunity for redemption following last year’s finals loss and a chance to establish themselves as a perennial contender.
Fans have packed Place Bell in anticipation, with the atmosphere expected to be electric as the Victoire look to seize early momentum in the series. The changes to the lineup have only heightened interest, with analysts and supporters debating how the absence of Stacey and Tabin will affect Montreal’s power play and defensive structure, and whether Irving can deliver in her biggest moment yet.
Ottawa head coach Troy Ryan and his staff will have spent the morning adjusting their game plan. The Charge prepared extensively for Montreal’s usual top-six combinations, but Irving’s inclusion introduces an unknown variable. Her quick release and willingness to drive the net could create new problems for Ottawa’s penalty kill and defensive zone coverage. Ryan is known for his adaptability, however, and the Charge’s experience in high-pressure situations should help them respond.
Beyond the immediate personnel shifts, the game carries broader significance for the growth of women’s professional hockey. The PWHL’s third season has already delivered record attendance and viewership, and a compelling finals series between two passionate Canadian markets will only accelerate that momentum. Players on both sides have spoken about the pride of representing their country’s hockey heritage on this stage.
As the puck is set to drop tonight, all eyes will be on how Kori Cheverie’s bold lineup decisions play out.
Will the infusion of youth and the rest for key veterans give Montreal the edge they need to take a 1-0 series lead? Or will Ottawa capitalize on the changes and steal home-ice advantage in Game 1? The answers will begin to reveal themselves over the next 60 minutes of high-stakes hockey, with the promise of surprises in both personnel and tactics adding an extra layer of drama to what is already shaping up to be a memorable championship series.
The Victoire’s path to the finals was anything but straightforward. After finishing atop the standings, they survived a grueling semifinal against the two-time defending champion Minnesota Frost that included multiple overtime games and a stomach bug that sidelined several players in Game 5. Catherine Dubois delivered a clutch goal and Poulin scored the series-winning overtime marker, showcasing the resilience that has defined Montreal all season. Ottawa, meanwhile, dispatched Boston with clinical efficiency, leaning on strong goaltending and timely scoring to advance.
Tonight’s contest will test whether Montreal’s depth can overcome the loss of two everyday contributors and whether Irving can rise to the occasion in her first major playoff start. For Ottawa, the challenge is clear: neutralize Poulin’s playmaking, limit odd-man rushes created by the new-look forward group, and find ways to exploit any chemistry gaps created by the lineup shuffle.
Whatever unfolds, one thing is certain: the 2026 Walter Cup Finals are delivering exactly the kind of compelling, unpredictable hockey that fans have come to expect from the PWHL. With two proud franchises, star power on both sides, and now an unexpected tactical wrinkle courtesy of Cheverie’s lineup announcement, Game 1 promises to be a thriller that sets the tone for what could be a classic series. The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET, and the hockey world will be watching closely to see how these surprises shape the opening chapter of the championship story.