The Pacific Coliseum erupted with energy on Saturday night as the Vancouver Goldeneyes made their highly anticipated Professional Women's Hockey League debut. More than an hour before the 7 p.m. puck drop, young fans were already holding up homemade signs along the boards, creating an atmosphere that star player Sarah Nurse compared to a Taylor Swift concert.
Historic Return to Pacific Coliseum
The game marked a significant moment for Vancouver sports, as the Goldeneyes became the first hockey tenant at the Pacific Coliseum since the WHL's Vancouver Giants departed for the Langley Events Centre ahead of the 2016-17 season. The venue, with a capacity of 15,041, was completely sold out for the historic occasion, creating the eighth-largest crowd in PWHL history.
The Goldeneyes announced the sellout on Thursday, building anticipation throughout the city. This expansion team, along with their rivals the Seattle Torrent, brings the PWHL to eight teams in its third year of operation.
Electric Atmosphere Builds Before Puck Drop
As early as 4:55 p.m., parking lots near the Agrodome were filling up rapidly. By 4:59 p.m., lines had formed at the entrances, with doors scheduled to open at 5:30 p.m. The crowd was notably young and energetic, with house music pumping throughout the venue.
Canadian Press journalist Gemma Karstens-Smith observed that merchandise stand lineups were growing lengthy even before the game began, suggesting that jerseys, T-shirts, and other souvenirs might sell out before the final buzzer.
At 5:30 p.m., the rink was described as looking "superb" by veteran reporter Steve Ewen, who noted that Coliseum staff had worked diligently over the previous five to six days to prepare the venue. One staff member, familiar from the Giants' era, expressed excitement about hosting the new team and noted that the last event to pack the venue to similar capacity was likely a Sabrina Carpenter concert in November 2024.
Live Blogging Captures the Moment
The historic game was documented through live blogging, with updates beginning hours before the opening faceoff. At 6:14 p.m., the energetic crowd and pumping music set the stage for what promised to be an unforgettable night for women's hockey in Vancouver.
The Goldeneyes took to the ice for warmups at 6:30 p.m., greeted by loud cheers from the capacity crowd. The scene represented a significant milestone for professional women's hockey in British Columbia and demonstrated the growing popularity of the PWHL across Canada.
The sold-out debut at the Pacific Coliseum signals strong support for women's professional hockey in Vancouver and sets a promising precedent for the Goldeneyes' inaugural season in the expanding league.
