Ottawa Charge Gears Up for Historic Crowd Against Montreal Victoire
The Ottawa Charge is poised to welcome its biggest audience of the season this Friday, as the Professional Women's Hockey League team prepares to host the Montreal Victoire at the Canadian Tire Centre. With excitement building, the game scheduled for April 3 at 7 p.m. could shatter the franchise's attendance record, marking a significant moment for the team and its fans.
Anticipation Builds for Homecoming Game
After nearly a month without a home game, the Charge's return to Ottawa is generating immense buzz. Jean-François Plante, manager of media and community relations for the Ottawa Charge, emphasized the growing enthusiasm in a statement to the Ottawa Citizen. "The excitement building around Friday’s game has been incredible, and we’re anticipating our largest crowd of the season," he said. While exact ticket sales figures remain undisclosed, Plante noted that only a limited number of tickets are still available, with most sections of the 17,000-seat arena already sold out.
Record-Breaking Potential and Fan Experience
The current franchise attendance record of 11,065 fans was set during the last matchup between the Charge and Victoire at the Canadian Tire Centre on December 6, 2024, a game Montreal won 2-1. This Friday's contest could surpass that milestone, as the Charge has averaged 7,280 fans across eight games at TD Place this season, with weekend games drawing over 8,000 attendees on average. To enhance the fan experience, the first 6,000 arrivals will receive Emily Clark bobbleheads, and author Rachel Reid of Heated Rivalry will be on hand for a book signing.
Logistics and Future Implications
This game is the Charge's only appearance at the Canadian Tire Centre this season, a venue typically home to the NHL's Ottawa Senators and located about 30 kilometres west of downtown Ottawa in Kanata. OC Transpo will operate 400-series event buses to facilitate transportation from Park & Ride lots across the city, with return trips departing 15 minutes after the event concludes. The matchup also serves as a test for the venue's appeal to Charge fans, as discussions between the PWHL and the Senators could lead to the team playing home games there in future seasons, especially since the PWHL has ruled out using the new Lansdowne 2.0 arena due to its reduced capacity of approximately 6,500 seats.
Fan Reactions and Team Growth
According to previous reports, fans have expressed mixed feelings about a potential move to the Canadian Tire Centre. Some view it as a positive step for the team's expansion and visibility, while others have raised concerns about the venue's distance from the downtown core. Regardless, Friday's game represents a pivotal opportunity to gauge fan support and set new benchmarks for the Ottawa Charge as it continues to build its presence in the PWHL.
