Montreal Victoire Clinch No. 1 Seed as Lina Ljungblom’s Shootout Goal Downs Seattle Torrent
Lina Ljungblom’s shootout winner lifted Montreal Victoire to a 2-1 victory over Seattle Torrent, clinching the PWHL’s No. 1 seed and a favorable playoff draw.
The Montreal Victoire secured the PWHL’s top seed on Saturday night after Lina Ljungblom converted the decisive shootout attempt to beat the Seattle Torrent 2-1. Montreal finished the regular season with 62 points, tied with Boston but holding the tiebreaker, and will enter the Walter Cup playoffs as the league’s No. 1 seed. The result confirmed Montreal’s résumé (17-5-2-6) and set up a first-round opponent to be determined between Minnesota and Ottawa.
Ljungblom’s Shootout Clinches No. 1 Seed
Lina Ljungblom scored the decisive shootout goal that sealed Montreal’s victory and the No. 1 seed in the Walter Cup playoffs. Her finish capped a tightly contested game that remained deadlocked after 60 minutes and showcased Montreal’s depth in high-pressure moments.
The shootout winner was the final act of a regular season where the Victoire posted consistent results and secured the tiebreaker over Boston to claim top positioning. That standing gives Montreal home-ice advantage in at least the opening rounds and influences the matchup the club will choose between the third- and fourth-seeded teams.
Key Moments and Scoring
Abby Roque opened the scoring for Montreal with a power-play goal at 7:25 of the second period, converting on a 5-on-3 advantage to give the Victoire a 1-0 lead. The goal came off disciplined zone work and a clean feed that allowed Roque to finish from close range and change the momentum of the middle frame.
Seattle answered late in the third when Alex Carpenter tied the game with 9:49 remaining, and her goal forced the extra session that led to the shootout. The Torrent’s late push underscored their resolve in front of a season-high crowd, but Montreal managed to withstand Seattle’s pressure through the final minutes of regulation.
Desbiens Posts 23 Saves to Hold Montreal
Ann-Renée Desbiens delivered a steady performance in goal for the Victoire, finishing the night with 23 saves. Desbiens’ positioning and timely saves on Seattle’s higher-danger chances were decisive in keeping Montreal level until the shootout.
Montreal’s defensive structure limited clear breakaway chances and allowed Desbiens to control rebounds and traffic in front of the net. Her performance will be central as Montreal prepares for playoff hockey, where goaltending often decides close series.
Seattle’s Draft Position and Record Attendance
The Seattle Torrent entered the finale with the possibility of securing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 PWHL entry draft with a win, but the loss left the club with 30 points — the fewest in the league this season. With that finish confirmed, Vancouver will have the top selection in the upcoming entry draft, a development that shapes Seattle’s asset management and off-season planning.
Despite the on-ice disappointment, Seattle drew its largest crowd of the season with 17,151 fans in attendance. The turnout represented a notable show of local support and provided a raucous environment for the season finale, signaling sustained community interest ahead of the franchise’s next rebuilding steps.
Injury Returns Bolster Montreal Depth
Montreal received boosts to its lineup late in the season as Marie-Philip Poulin and Maureen Murphy returned from injuries that had sidelined both players since mid-March. Their availability down the stretch provided the Victoire with additional experience and strategic options for both special teams and five-on-five play.
Coaching staff suggested the reinforcements allowed Montreal to rotate lines more effectively and preserve energy for an expected playoff push. The pair’s return also eases pressure on younger forwards and contributes veteran presence to a roster chasing championship aspirations.
Playoff Matchup Implications and Next Steps
With Montreal assured of the No. 1 seed, the Victoire will select their first-round opponent between third-seeded Minnesota and fourth-seeded Ottawa. That choice will factor in recent form, matchup advantages, and travel logistics as Montreal prepares for the Walter Cup bracket.
Coaches and management are likely to evaluate health, special-teams performance, and recent head-to-head results before announcing the selection and game plan. Montreal’s late-season form and the return of key players give the club several pathways to construct a matchup strategy aimed at advancing deep into the playoffs.
Montreal now shifts focus from regular-season seeding to playoff preparation, where goaltending, depth scoring and matchup management will be tested anew. The Victoire enter the postseason with momentum from their top finish but will need consistent performance to convert the No. 1 seed into Walter Cup success.
