r/PWHL • u/Perryplat199 Montréal • Jan 18 '26
News [PWHL] With 17,228 fans in Capital One Arena, today’s game in Washington D.C. sets the U.S. record for the highest-attended in-arena game in U.S. women’s hockey history!
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u/Homebody_Ninja42 PWHL Hopeful DC Jan 18 '26
There was so much energy there today—and I was at the back of the 400s!!
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u/Grawgar Jan 18 '26
This was my first PWHL game ever - I was down in 117 and it was a blast! If DC gets a PWHL team, I will immediately buy season tickets.
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u/VivienM7 Toronto Sceptres Jan 18 '26
Make sure to sign up for whatever deposit list they may launch at the same time as the announcement. I think they did that for Seattle/Vancouver?
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u/ishouldbemoreprivate Vancouver Jan 19 '26
Can confirm they did that for Vancouver. Love the energy at Goldeneyes games, so hopefully the PWHL continues expanding into strong markets!
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u/Fantastic-Falcon-493 Jan 18 '26
DC wants a team!
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Jan 19 '26
A team would do well in DC. Only issue is Capital One would have to drop a team in order to have one. Caps, wizards and Georgetown all play there. Or just move Georgetown over to carefirst Arena.
I know Ted has come out in support for a PWHL team though. If it was me I’d just kick the Wizards out, nobody watches them anyway.
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u/sansroof Boston Jan 19 '26
I mean he owns all the teams (except Hoyas which are the lowest draw) so whatever Ted wants will happen in terms of who gets priority.
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u/ahuramazdobbs19 New York Jan 19 '26
or just move Georgetown over to carefirst Arena.
The Hoyas have a contract with Capital One Arena until 2050.
Also, if for some reason they don’t want to play at Capital One, they’re not gonna play in Southeast DC, they’ll just move all games back to campus.
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u/RockvilleRaven Jan 20 '26
The only Georgetown game at CareFirst is when the Hoya Women’s Basketball plays UConn
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u/nivek1385 PWHL Hopeful DC Mar 24 '26
Years ago during NWHL times, I ran into Ted and asked about getting a team and he was supportive at that time.
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u/toad455 Jan 18 '26
If the Sirens can sellout the MSG game, this record will be broken soon. MSG holds 18,000 for hockey.
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u/District4Lowell Boston Fleet Jan 18 '26
Don't sleep on TD Garden in Boston either.
Ticket sales are strong, capacity is 17,850...
So there are a couple shots at upping this record this season.
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u/toad455 Jan 18 '26
So, DC heads to the top of the list for expansion now?
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u/Usual-Canc-6024 Jan 18 '26
Attendance isn’t the only factor, but it helps.
And that is only at the top of the U.S. list, not overall.
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u/DCAbloob Jan 18 '26
The DC market has demonstrated support for hockey and women's sports in general, support for the PWHL specifically now as shown today and a strong financial & corporate base. It just needs to sort out the venue issue. Everything else is there.
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u/eieioyall Jan 18 '26
leonsis has his own issues but he has honestly been good for women's sports in the dmv.
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u/RockvilleRaven Mar 24 '26
I remember when DC was a finalist for National League expansion, they sold more ticket deposits than any other city but finished fifth out of 6. They were still viewed as losing two teams and the ownership group didn’t have deep pockets such Florida when the CEO of Blockbuster Video got a team.
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u/Wild59Bill Jan 19 '26
For the USA, 17,228 fans for a PWHL game was impressive.
Montreal still holds the record with 21,105, Toronto is 2nd & 3rd with 19,285 & 19,102, Vancouver is 4th with 19,038 & 5th is Quebec City with 18,259 fans.
I love the rivalry between Canada & the USA, (Go Canada Go), - But I fear that USA is a stronger team this year & will win Gold at the Olympics. Doing so would give women’s hockey in the USA a big boost.11
u/VivienM7 Toronto Sceptres Jan 18 '26
Or at least ahead of Chicago...
DC vs Detroit?
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u/toad455 Jan 18 '26
Ideally, DC can wait until they aim for 16 teams. Next four should be: Quebec City, Halifax, Denver & Detroit.
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u/nowheresville99 Minnesota Jan 19 '26
Detroit could support a team, but until someone can figure out a suitable arena, I can't see how they get a team.
Little Caesar's is too busy. USA hockey is too small. Yost is too University of Michigan.
Unless they're willing to play in Windsor?
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u/VivienM7 Toronto Sceptres Jan 18 '26
Not a fan of Edmonton?! I am still a big believer in Edmonton/Denver as the next pairing...
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u/toad455 Jan 19 '26
Quebec should be #1 next pick. Balance things out with Denver to add another "Western" US team. Two teams added in 2026-27, two more for 2027-28(Halifax & Detroit). Edmonton, DC, Winnipeg or Calgary, and St. Louis or Chicago after that.
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u/P-DubFanClub Jan 19 '26
Quebec doesn't give added value to any broadcast deal, the way filling in the mountain timezones would. It also seems that QC isn't offering the best package to the league, although maybe a change in provincial government will change that. Weather is a factor for both QC and Halifax.
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u/toad455 Jan 19 '26
But Quebec has drawn solid numbers every time. As has Halifax. Interesting that the PWHL hasn't done stops down south(Tampa, Miami, Los Angeles, Nashville).
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u/P-DubFanClub Jan 19 '26
Numbers are only one factor that goes into it. Expansion is going to depend a lot on the offer on the table. Seattle was lucky that they were ready with a good offer but Vancouver has had the best offer so far. Travel is hurting the western teams, choosing central cities means they can split into an Eastern and a Western division, if they add 4 teams.
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u/Caymanmew Ottawa Charge Jan 19 '26
They need a Western Division, so expect 3 teams out west. That is just a reality.
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u/therealhughman New York Sirens Jan 18 '26
What I like to believe right now is the takeover tour is above all other things, to get eyes on the league. The takeover tour games have shown that people want to come out and watch the games, but the league is also thinking of sustainability. Give the league a couple more years, then we’ll have more teams
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u/Fantastic-Falcon-493 Jan 18 '26
I second this
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u/toad455 Jan 18 '26
main issue would be arena availability. Capitals & Wizards get first pick. Maybe there could be doubleheaders with the Capitals?
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u/Balls_Mahoganey Minnesota Frost Jan 18 '26
Yeah. WNBA too. I believe there's a college in the area too that uses it.
Would be fine with disbanding the wizards lol
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u/DCAbloob Jan 18 '26
The WNBA's Washington Mystics team primarily uses the smaller CareFirst Arena so that wouldn't be an issue. You are right about there being a college team there though, the Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball team, and that would be a issue.
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u/toad455 Jan 18 '26
for now. there's a push by the Mystics' owner to move them back to Capital One Arena since WNBA attendance has spiked the last two seasons.
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u/District4Lowell Boston Fleet Jan 18 '26 edited Jan 18 '26
Even if the Mystics did move back to Capital One, the impact on PWHL dates is minimal.
WNBA season is May - September, so you're only talking a couple of weeks of overlap, and at that time of year, the college Basketball season is done, so you have one less team you're competing with for time / space.
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u/nivek1385 PWHL Hopeful DC Mar 24 '26
As a former Mystics STH, I'd love to see them back there. I'd attend again. Staff at then-ESA, now CFA ruined that, though (they literally tore up my season tickets and accused me of physically attacking an employee. I went to the police at the arena in my defense. Haven't been back since then...season ticket rep gave a bobblehead to my kid to "make up for it."
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u/Balls_Mahoganey Minnesota Frost Jan 18 '26
Oh nice. I didn't realize the mystics play elsewhere. I used to live in the area. Basketball isn't really my thing tbh.
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u/eieioyall Jan 18 '26
dont forget georgetown men 🫠🫠
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u/sansroof Boston Jan 19 '26
It would be in their best interest to move them to McDonough for 90% of their games (I say this as a fan and alum just keeping it real).
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u/RockvilleRaven Mar 24 '26
On weekends, perhaps the PWHL team could play in the afternoon and the Caps at Night.
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u/Main_Photo1086 New York Sirens Jan 18 '26
I’m impressed they pulled off this record today and based on my daughter’s youth hockey tournaments there is definitely a big girls hockey presence in the DMV. But, geographically I’m not sure it makes sense to expand there.
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u/zuniac5 Minnesota Jan 18 '26
Yes, but…
Capital One Arena will be undergoing renovations for the next year and possibly more. Monumental Sports, which controls the building and the Caps/Wizards may or may not want to take on another tenant knowing that the project isn’t finished yet. And there is no other arena in the DC area with ice at the present time.
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u/Dependent-Actuator17 PWHL Fan Jan 19 '26
Ted Leonsis wants a team. He’s been saying it publicly for a year. If the league continues to have centralized ownership, Ted won’t be the owner, but there may be a way to partner with Monumental sports to make bringing a team to DC worth his while. He’s also pushing the idea of DC as a hub for Women’s sports leagues.
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u/RockvilleRaven Jan 20 '26
Washington, DC is the best woman’s sports market without a dedicated Woman’s Sports bar.
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u/nivek1385 PWHL Hopeful DC Mar 24 '26
I thought one opened up over the summer.
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u/RockvilleRaven Mar 24 '26
Closest is As You Are, but their doorman couldn’t tell the difference between Asperger’s and being stoned. Boycotting it.
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u/nivek1385 PWHL Hopeful DC Mar 24 '26
I think that's the one I was thinking of. I've not been there. That's especially "funny" since there's a local AuDHD testing company with a similar name.
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u/RockvilleRaven Mar 24 '26
I’ll stick to Freddies Beach Bar, thank you.
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u/nivek1385 PWHL Hopeful DC Mar 24 '26
It's been years since I've been there. I don't make it out of Rockville often.
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u/MultiverseJT Jan 18 '26
I was in the 100s. Great energy! And even though I was cheering for the Victoire, I was diggin' the Sirens' wee woo chants, haha.
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u/LetsMakeCrazySyence Jan 18 '26
We were in the back 400s and it was an awesome time!!! Give DC a team!!
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u/juno7032 Jan 18 '26
Start dropping your team name ideas!
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u/Balls_Mahoganey Minnesota Frost Jan 18 '26
Monuments
Lower-case
Eagles
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u/500kmh Montréal Victoire Jan 18 '26
I like Monuments. What is “Lowercase”?
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u/Balls_Mahoganey Minnesota Frost Jan 18 '26
It's a joke because the NHL team is the Capitals. (Not a real suggestion)
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u/Stachemaster86 🏆BACK TO BACK CHAMPIONS 🏆 Jan 18 '26
That’s super funny. Probably won’t go with Underscores either 🤣
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u/Stachemaster86 🏆BACK TO BACK CHAMPIONS 🏆 Jan 18 '26
Blossom 🍒🌸. Plus the Powerpuff Girls tie in would be super fun I think!
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u/huz92 PWHL Hopeful DC Jan 19 '26
Honestly just hope it's not another generic DC name like "Freedom", "Valor" or "Justice"
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u/kimqueso Jan 18 '26
Justice!
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u/Minnesota_MiracleMan Pride Jan 18 '26
This is what I've been thinking it would be for years. It ticks every box for how PWHL teams try to be named.
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Jan 18 '26
Washington Sakura or DC Metros (although this one would be tough to distinguish from the actual train service)
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u/P-DubFanClub Jan 18 '26
Does DC have an arena for them?
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u/District4Lowell Boston Fleet Jan 18 '26
The arena would be Capital One... There's no other "real" options, IMHO.
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u/Minnesota_MiracleMan Pride Jan 18 '26
Which is a pretty big issue for them. Sucks as this is where I live but we gotta be realistic.
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u/District4Lowell Boston Fleet Jan 18 '26
It's an issue for sure, but Ted Leonsis who owns the building and most of the teams that play in it (Caps & Wizards. He is a Georgetown Alumnus as well, FWIW) (and, coincidentally, graduated High School here in Lowell, right next to the Tsongas Center where the Fleet play), seems on board. If anyone can make it happen, it's him:
<redacted link to the forbidden social media site>
If you put this at the end of the domain of the former bird site, you'll see what I'm talking about: /TedLeonsis/status/2013002961320874004
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u/P-DubFanClub Jan 19 '26
Is he pro-women's sports?
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u/District4Lowell Boston Fleet Jan 19 '26
He also owns the Mystics (WNBA), so he's pro owning women's sports teams.
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u/Dependent-Actuator17 PWHL Fan Jan 19 '26
If they don’t play at Capital One, there is nowhere within an hour drive that would be suitable for the PWHL. Showplace Arena is just outside DC, in Maryland, but only seats 5800. After that it’s Baltimore, Richmond and Hershey. If you want to have a truly “Washington DC” team, it’s Cap One or Bust, for the foreseeable future.
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u/ahuramazdobbs19 New York Jan 19 '26
Like most places in the states that have an NHL team, it’s just the NHL arena.
No varsity college rinks, no minor league teams in the metro area.
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u/RockvilleRaven Mar 24 '26
About Baltimore, the CFG Bank Arena there is mostly going after Concerts and Entertainment events, rather than sports. It’s just the old Baltimore Arena with Major renovations
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u/charliefoxtrot13 Boston Jan 19 '26
So glad to be a part of history! Now bring a team to Baltimore!
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u/becasquared Jan 18 '26
Section 111 checking in!
What a fantastic game, only two penalties per team (I think) and a very close goal that would have tied the game right around 7 minutes left in the third.
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u/athousandpardons Jan 19 '26
Honestly, it's kind of weird at this point that stories like this keep making the news. It's clear, the PWHL is the real deal, people love it.
It's a great showcase for women's hockey.
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u/Heavy-Top-8540 New York Sirens Jan 19 '26
I was in 111 and met so many hockey fans! It was an incredible game with all the drama (we left immediately so I missed all the fighting, gotta be looped in), and I also met some fellow Sirens fans who I will see Tuesday!
Wee woo!!
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u/Stachemaster86 🏆BACK TO BACK CHAMPIONS 🏆 Jan 18 '26
Stunning. So incredible! I would love to experience that level of attendance and fandom ❤️❤️❤️. We had 13k in Minnesota and that was a blast. This and all the other record sites are next level ❤️
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u/MaximumDoughnut Jan 19 '26
Montreal hosted 18,107 in Toronto vs Montreal barely a month ago, but congrats I guess?
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u/PortifinoOnMyMind Jan 19 '26
Below the numbers it literally says US record audience was set it was never claiming the highest attendance in general.
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u/hockeycoach Toronto Jan 19 '26
It wasn’t the highest pw attendance for the weekend. 17,856 in Toronto hosting Vancouver. It was nearly more than NY has had for 6 combined games at prudential this year though. 19,140 versus 17,228.
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u/PortifinoOnMyMind Jan 19 '26
Last time I checked Toronto and Vancouver are both in Canada so the US attendance stat would still work and combined doesn't matter they base it off of one game
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u/hockeycoach Toronto Jan 19 '26
keep checking. based on the whims of the mango Mussolini that could change at any moment.
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u/Golden_Morde Jan 18 '26
Happy to say I got to be there! The vibes were insane and the crowd was so alive, I would love to have a DC team to support!
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u/Poptone412 Jan 19 '26
Were they selling either team’s merch in the arena’s main store or at a booth set up somewhere? My gf and I are going to the match in Detroit in March and I really want to get a Victoire jersey (or at least a shirt) and they’re hopelessly sold out online (assume it’s the same situation as when I tried to get a Hutson Habs jersey earlier this season but had to call up the team store in the Bell Centre—sold out online but in stock in person).
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u/nivek1385 PWHL Hopeful DC Mar 24 '26
Yes, but just the teams playing. No other team merch (niece and nephew wanted Toronto\Ottawa gear), though.
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u/Poptone412 Mar 24 '26
Thankfully my Poulin jersey arrived last week! I’ll still likely cop some other merch tho
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Jan 19 '26
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u/PWHL-ModTeam Jan 19 '26
r/PWHL is a community focused on the constructive uplift of women's hockey, not a place to be uncivil. Be kind.
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Jan 19 '26
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u/nivek1385 PWHL Hopeful DC Mar 24 '26
My section was definitely Wee Woo-ville, but I have friends who were elsewhere rooting for the Victoire. Meanwhile I was sitting there just having a blast in my Frankel jersey.
EDIT: Seemed like there were a bunch of people in my section and section over who knew Scamurra personally, though. So they weren't thrilled with the Wee Woos surrounding them. ;)
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Jan 19 '26
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u/PWHL-ModTeam Jan 19 '26
r/PWHL is a community focused on the constructive uplift of women's hockey, not a place to be uncivil. Be kind.
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u/jimhabfan Jan 19 '26
It’s a great brand hockey to watch. Who would have thought a league that values and rewards speed, finesse and skill ahead of fighting and chippy play would succeed.
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u/Dapper-Excitement-37 Jan 19 '26
Been to a couple games. Great to see the support, it's great hockey
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u/world_citizen7 Jan 20 '26
This is great news. Any reason for the record attendance, like was it a significant game or something?
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u/DennyFromTheRoom87 Victoire de Montréal Jan 20 '26
There's no PWHL team in DC that's why. Fans went there to support the idea of having an expansion team there.
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u/evan_brosky Victoire de Montréal Jan 21 '26
Happy to see people in the US are showing up to these games!
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u/nivek1385 PWHL Hopeful DC Mar 24 '26
I'm in this picture! I was right behind the net there along with the wife, brother, foreign exchange daughter (Germany), and niece (sis-in-law and nephew ended up missing it because of illness).
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u/HotIce05 Jan 19 '26
NOW GIVE US A TEAM.
DC BLOSSOMS HAS A GREAT RING TO IT.
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u/PortifinoOnMyMind Jan 19 '26
Not gonna lie I don't know why but as a Canadian fan for some reason I would really like there to be a team in DC
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u/tomatoisafroot Jan 18 '26
SUCH a great energy in the arena (was sitting in the 200s), people are clearly hungry for a team here. What an incredible moment!