Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) in Ottawa

On New Year's day less than two months ago, hockey changed. The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) held its first ever game. While there have been elite women’s hockey leagues in the past, none have ever garnered this much attention this quick. I decided to witness the beginnings of what appears to be the future of women's hockey by watching a game at TD Place: Ottawa vs Minnesota.

As soon as we arrived at the arena, it was clear that all the hype I had seen on TV was true. Over 8,000 fans filled the sold-out stadium, over half of them women, with many young girls wearing jerseys. I observed that it had the exact same level of energy as an NHL Senators game. 

After the players came out, and both national anthems were sung, the puck dropped to begin the PWHL’s 33rd game ever. Immediately, I was hooked by the action of the game. The crowd cheered as the players maneuvered the puck brilliantly, showing off their talent. While Minnesota started with a goal in the first period, Ottawa struck back in the second period, provoking a joyous eruption in the stadium. Unfortunately, Minnesota scored once more just before the period ended. 

In the final period, Ottawa played fiercely to tie up the game again, to no avail. While the game ended 2-1 in favour of Minnesota, fans still left the stadium with smiles on their faces, satisfied with the fact that a women's hockey game received the attention it deserves and ready to show our southern neighbours who’s the boss in this new section of the sport sometime soon.

If you want to be a part of the first season in the future of women’s hockey and see Ottawa make sports history, click here for tickets.

David is a fifteen-year-old aspiring adventure and travel writer living in Ottawa.  Skydiving is on his bucket list. He received a complimentary ticket for this post, but all views are his own.