The Walter Cup Finals tipped off in thrilling fashion Thursday night, as the Montreal Victoire edged the Ottawa Charge 3-2 in overtime to take a 1-0 series lead. In a game that had everything—dramatic comebacks, highlight-reel saves, and a sudden-death finish—fans were treated to a classic playoff battle in Laval, Quebec.

The hero of the night was Abby Roque, who netted her second goal of the game just 2:29 into overtime. The winning play came off a point shot from Maggie Flaherty that pinballed around the crease before deflecting off Roque and into the net. It was a gritty, greasy goal—the kind that defines championship hockey.

Montreal had to fight back to force extra time. With the Victoire trailing late in the third period, defenseman Nicole Gosling stepped up and buried the tying goal, breathing new life into her team and the home crowd. Goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens was a wall when it mattered most, turning aside 23 shots to keep Montreal in the fight.

Ottawa came out strong and looked poised to steal Game 1 on the road, but the Victoire's resilience and depth proved too much in the end. The Charge will look to even the series as the PWHL Finals continue, while Montreal aims to build on this momentum and take a commanding lead.

For fans of the game, this was a masterclass in playoff intensity—and a reminder that every shift, every save, and every lucky bounce can change the course of a series. Stay tuned for Game 2, where the stakes only get higher.