The PWHL is averaging 7,365 fans per game in its second season, up from 5,500 last year, according to John Wawrow of the AP. Including playoffs, the PWHL has drawn a combined 925,406 fans entering this week -- with the “anticipation of surpassing 1 million within the next month.” The attendance jump can be attributed to the Takeover Tour. Six of the nine games so far have drawn 89,953 fans, including 19,038 in Vancouver -- the fourth-highest in league history. Another factor is the Toronto Sceptres playing in a larger venue this year, moving to the 7,800-seat Coca-Cola Coliseum from the 2,500-seat Mattamy Athletic Centre. The N.Y. Sirens have “slightly benefitted in establishing their home” at Prudential Center after playing out of three venues last season. They are averaging 2,648 fans through 10 games at Prudential vs. 2,496 over 12 home games last year. As attendance is up, the league “is on the verge of growing.” PWHL EVP/Business Operations Amy Scheer mentioned that an “expansion decision is expected by early April.” Scheer would not provide any hint on what markets are in the running or whether one or two teams will be added. Wawrow added Detroit is “nonetheless considered a front-runner” with the PWHL also “impressed with neutral site Takeover Tour game turnouts in Seattle, Denver, Vancouver, Edmonton and Quebec City this year” (AP, 3/3).
GAME-CHANGING CROWD: In Montreal, Jack Todd wrote with the Montreal Victoire “riding high” in first place in the PWHL with 39 points, their “crowds (with a significant percentage of girls and young women) are especially loud.” Saturday afternoon, with a crowd of 17,324 at the DeciBell Centre to see the Victoire take on the Boston Fleet, the fans took the “noise to a new level.” Victoire coach Kori Cheverie “properly credited the crowd with an assist.” Cheverie said, “I feel like every time we touched the puck, they started to rev us up so that really helps” (MONTREAL GAZETTE, 3/3).
