The expansion Vancouver Goldeneyes have captured the hearts of local hockey fans, and the proof is in the packed stands. Despite a 4-2 loss to the Montreal Victoire on Saturday afternoon, the team's popularity remains undeniable, with the franchise now holding four of the top six single-game attendance marks in the Professional Women's Hockey League this season.
A Sea of Support at the Coliseum
The scene at the Pacific Coliseum on Saturday was a testament to the team's rapid connection with the city. An announced crowd of 12,127 fans created a boisterous atmosphere, with concourses jammed during intermissions and fans singing along with the in-house DJ until the final buzzer. This passionate turnout is part of a clear trend for the new club.
As of Sunday morning, the eight-team PWHL had played 22 games this season. Vancouver's four home dates all rank in the league's top six for attendance. Saturday's crowd sits in third place, trailing only the Seattle Torrent's home opener on November 28 against Minnesota (16,014) and Vancouver's own home opener on November 21 against Seattle (14,958).
By the Numbers: Vancouver Tops the League
The Goldeneyes are not just posting big numbers for single games; they are setting the pace for the entire league. Vancouver's average home attendance of 11,459 leads the PWHL, which has an overall season average of 8,028 through 22 dates. Other notable crowds in the top six include a neutral-site Takeover Tour game in Halifax (10,438), Vancouver's December 6 game against New York (9,502), and its December 16 matchup with Ottawa (9,250).
The league is in its third season and continues to grow. Last year, the average announced attendance was 7,245, up from 5,448 in the inaugural campaign. The decision to award Vancouver an expansion team was heavily influenced by the success of a Takeover Tour game at Rogers Arena in January, which drew 19,038 fans. A post-game survey revealed that 75% of attendees had never been to a Vancouver Canucks game, signaling a unique and untapped market for women's professional hockey.
Maintaining Momentum Through a Long Road Stretch
The immediate challenge for the Goldeneyes is sustaining this incredible fan energy through a lengthy stretch away from home. The team's next game is a Takeover Tour neutral-site contest in Edmonton this Saturday, which kicks off a six-game road trip. Vancouver will not return to the Pacific Coliseum until a January 22 meeting with the Toronto Sceptres.
Following that, two more road games precede the Olympic break. The Goldeneyes will be idle until they host Toronto again on March 1. Saturday's match was the team's first home loss, dropping their record to 3-4-0. Michela Cava and Sophie Jaques scored for Vancouver, while Emerance Maschmeyer made 26 saves. The team continues to play without forward Sarah Nurse due to an undisclosed injury.
Montreal star Marie-Philip Poulin, who scored in the victory, praised the Vancouver crowd. "I was lucky enough to go through the Olympic experience here in 2010 and the Takeover Tour last year and there was no surprise that Vancouver was going to get a team after that," Poulin said. "Coming here today and playing in front of such a great crowd has been amazing." The early evidence suggests Vancouver's love affair with its new hockey team is just getting started.
