The city of Detroit was abuzz on Saturday as the Professional Women's Hockey League saw a new U.S. attendance record set during the game between PWHL Ottawa and PWHL Boston at Little Caesars Arena. In what became a landmark event for women's hockey, a throng of 13,736 fans surpassed the previous record, set earlier this season by the PWHL Minnesota during their home opener against Montréal which attracted 13,316 spectators, reported ClickOnDetroit.
The monumental match ended with Boston claiming a 2-1 victory after a nerve-racking shootout. Meanwhile, the all-time PWHL attendance record still stands at 19,285, set during the Battle on Bay Street between Toronto and Montreal, as noted by The Hockey News. The anticipation is high, however, with projections suggesting that the record could topple during an upcoming match in April at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
Local Michigan talent Megan Keller, a defender for Boston, contributed to her team's performance and discussed the potential for league expansion. "I think it’s inevitable," Keller told The Detroit News, emphasizing the growth potential for professional women's hockey and the positive impact such games have on inspiring young players in different markets. The game also marked a homecoming for Keller and her fellow Michigan-born teammates Taylor Girard and Shiann Darkangelo.
Professional hockey has indeed taken center stage in Michigan over the weekend, not just with the PWHL, but also in college and junior leagues. The University of Michigan secured a spot in the Big Ten Championship game, and the Grand Rapids Griffins tied a franchise record with a 16th straight home game point gain, as detailed by The Detroit News. This weekend's success story in Detroit underlines the deep-rooted passion for the game that spans across all levels, reinforcing the city's legacy as a true hockey town.
