Vancouver’s 1st PWHL game was electric and inspiring

The Toronto Sceptres versed the Montreal Victoire in a packed Rogers Arena earlier this month

Over 19,000 filled Rogers Arena for the inaugural PWHL game on Jan. 8. (Sukhmani Sandhu)

Over 19,000 filled Rogers Arena for the inaugural PWHL game on Jan. 8. (Sukhmani Sandhu)

At the inaugural Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) game in Vancouver on Jan. 8, a sold-out Rogers Arena welcomed the best players in women’s hockey.

At what was my first ever hockey game, the Toronto Sceptres faced off against the Montreal Victoire. The match was the second game of the league’s Takeover Tour, a series of neutral-site matchups designed to grow the league’s fanbase and explore potential expansion markets.

The Victoire emerged victorious with a 4-2 win, led by standout performances from Marie-Philip Poulin, Mikyla Grant-Mentis, and Claire Dalton.

For the over 19,000 fans in attendance (including myself), the game was more than just a sporting event — it was a celebration of possibility.

Many young girls filled the stands, holding up signs and cheering on their idols. For them, the night offered a glimpse of what they could one day become — women playing hockey at the highest level. Seeing signs with messages like “Seeing you is seeing a future for us” underscored the significance of this moment for the next generation of athletes. 

Among the fans in the crowd were Vancouver Rise FC players Shannon Woeller, Ariel Young, and Kirstin Tynan, who will all later compete in the Northern Super League this spring. Woeller as well as Piper Logan from Canada’s Rugby Sevens took part in the game’s puck drop

The enthusiastic reception was also a major moment for B.C., which hasn’t seen professional women’s hockey in over a decade. The city’s excitement for the event suggests that it could be a prime candidate for a future PWHL team. 

The league currently has all its teams based in Central Canada, the U.S. Midwest, and the East Coast, a decision made to manage costs during its inaugural season. 

The atmosphere inside Rogers Arena reflected the growing enthusiasm for women’s hockey. Purple and pink light displays illuminated the arena, while fans cheered for every play. The event also drew in support from organizations like Fire Service Women BC, which promotes inclusivity and breaking barriers, echoing the PWHL’s mission. 

On the ice, the Victoire took control early, building a 3-0 lead with goals from Grant-Mentis, Poulin, and Dalton. The Sceptres fought back, with Daryl Watts scoring late in the second period and Jesse Compher adding another goal in the third, bringing the game within reach. But the Victoire sealed the win with Poulin’s second goal of the night, an empty-netter in the final minutes. The victory moved the Victoire (4-2-1-1) to the top of the PWHL standings, overtaking the Minnesota Frost. However, the Frost would go on to defeat the Victoire on Jan. 12 in Denver.

The Takeover Tour comprises of travelling to nine cities across North America, including Quebec City, Edmonton, and Detroit. The tour is not only a chance to grow the league’s audience but also an opportunity to test the waters for potential expansion teams in untapped markets. Vancouver’s sold-out event, which saw tickets vanish within days, demonstrated the city’s appetite for professional women’s hockey.

Despite being a young league, the PWHL is already making waves. Its first season in 2023-24 included record-breaking attendance in Montreal and growing support from fans across the continent.

For players, fans, and aspiring athletes, the league represents more than just hockey — it’s a platform for progress and representation. As a soccer girlie, I can only hope for similar reception when the Northern Super League kicks off.

The energy in Vancouver was electric, and being part of it was witnessing history in the making. For young girls in the stands, it was a chance to see their dreams reflected on the ice. For the rest of us, it was a reminder that women’s sports bring everyone together, stirring emotions we don’t always expect.  

It wasn’t just about the game — it was about the future, and I get to say, “I was there when it started.”