2025 PWHL Semifinal Preview: Montréal Victoire vs. Ottawa Charge

The Walter Cup playoffs are here, and so is one of the fiercest rivalries in the league. The top-seeded Montréal Victoire are set to square off against the surging Ottawa Charge in a best-of-five semifinal. For Montréal, it’s a chance to finally deliver in the postseason. For Ottawa, it’s a storybook debut, and they’re not just here to participate.

Schedule

*If necessary

Regular Season Recap

Montréal won the series 4–2, but Ottawa won the two most recent matchups.

Key Games:

Jan 29: Poulin hat trick leads Montréal to a 4–1 win.

Mar 3: Gwyneth Philips stuns Montréal with a 2–1 performance.

Apr 26: Ottawa wins 3–2 in a playoff-like atmosphere at home.

Players to Watch

Montréal – Marie-Philip Poulin

There’s no playoff series preview without mentioning “Captain Clutch.” Poulin continues to cement her legacy as one of the greatest to ever play the game, and this season was no different. She led the league with 19 goals, several of them coming in critical moments that helped Montréal lock up the top seed. Her hockey IQ is unmatched, her shot lethal, and her leadership undeniable. More than just a scorer, she drives play at both ends of the ice and raises the level of everyone around her. If Montréal is going to make a run to the Walter Cup, it will start with Poulin setting the tone. She thrives under pressure, and with the home crowd behind her, expect big moments.

“Obviously we had a great year. There were ups and downs... but honestly we’re super excited to start the playoffs back home in front of our fans.” — Marie-Philip Poulin

Ottawa – Gwyneth Philips

Gwyneth Philips didn’t start the season as Ottawa’s go-to netminder, but she’s finishing it that way. Since taking over the crease, the rookie has been sensational, posting one of the best save percentages in the league and coming up clutch in high-pressure situations. Her positioning is calm and technical, her rebound control impressive, and her ability to stay focused under siege is a huge reason Ottawa is even in this series. She made several game-saving stops in the Charge’s playoff-clinching win in Toronto, and has continued to rise with every challenge. Playoff hockey is often about goaltending, and right now, Philips might be Ottawa’s most valuable weapon.

“She’s just been able to really take the reins and settle in... Everyone’s been seeing what we see, and it’s been her rising in these moments.” — Carla McLeod on Gwyneth Philips

Storylines to Watch

Victoire – Redemption Arc

For all their regular-season dominance, the Victoire haven’t proven it when it counts. After finishing second in 2024 and getting swept by Boston in the semifinals, Montréal entered this season with unfinished business, and so far, they’ve delivered. With Poulin leading the charge, Ann-Renée Desbiens steady in net, and their blue line tightening up late in the year, the Victoire have looked every bit like a team built for a championship run.

“It’s going to be even harder of a playoff series this year... Every opponent in our league is difficult to play against.” — Kori Cheverie

Charge – First Time

Ottawa is in the playoffs for the first time, and they’re hungry. They’ve played must-win hockey for the past couple weeks, and have won 4 of their last 5 games. Led by battle-tested veterans like Brianne Jenner and Jocelyne Larocque, Ottawa knows it can match Montréal’s physicality and tempo. The real question is whether the underdog magic can carry them through a full series against the league’s most complete team.

“Really proud of our organization that we were able to make this step... I think both fanbases are really going to get up for these games.” — Brianne Jenner

Prediction

This one’s going the distance.

Montréal comes in as the top seed for a reason, they have depth, experience, and Marie-Philip Poulin firing on all cylinders. They’ve been here before and know the pressure. But Ottawa isn’t just happy to be here. They’ve been playing playoff-style hockey for weeks and are thriving under that pressure, with Gwyneth Philips rising as one of the league’s most reliable goaltenders.

If Montréal can dictate the pace and keep Ottawa’s transition game quiet, they should pull this out. But if Philips steals a game early and Ottawa’s veterans like Jenner and Mrázová keep stepping up, there’s upset potential written all over this.

Victoire in 5.
But the Charge are going to make them earn every single inch.