Toronto sets a record for women’s hockey attendance (19,285).
TORONTO — In front of a record-breaking 19,285 spectators at Scotiabank Arena, Kristen Campbell made 30 saves as Toronto defeated Montreal 3-0 on Friday night in the Professional Women’s Hockey League.
“The Battle on Bay Street” overturned the 18,013 attendance record set for a preliminary round match between Finland and Canada at the 2013 world championships in Ottawa, Ontario. On January 6 at Xcel Energy Center, Minnesota’s home opener versus Montreal set the previous PWHL record of 13,316.
“It just shows that demand for women’s hockey and women’s sport.” Following the team’s debut at the Maple Leafs’ home arena, Campbell noted. “Playing in this venue was something that we’re always going to cherish for the rest of our lives.”
In the third quarter, goals from Jesse Compher, Hannah Miller, and Victoria Bach—into an empty net—helped Toronto (6-5-0) win its fourth consecutive game. Montreal’s Ann-Renee Desbiens stopped 21 shots (6-2-2).
“It’s incredible how many signs there are in the stands, and how many little girls and boys and families are coming up,” Montreal player Marie-Philip Poulin remarked. “What’s happening in women’s hockey right now, it’s surreal and we all take it in with a big smile.”
At 5:11 in the third, Compher scored the first goal of the game with a shot over Desbiens’ shoulder. With 4:39 left, Miller sent a wrist shot between Desbiens’ legs to make it 2-0. With 4:07 remaining and Desbiens off for an extra attacker, Bach scored.
The ceremonial puck drop was carried out by Kia Nurse, a Canadian women’s basketball team player and Sarah Nurse’s cousin for the PWHL Toronto squad.
This report was made possible by the Associated Press.
