Inaugural PWHL game draws in 2.9 million viewers in Canada

An incredible milestone was reached in the first game of the Professional Women’s Hockey League.

On Friday, the league revealed that 2.9 million people from across Canada tuned in for the New Year’s Day Game between Toronto and New York.

The game took place in front of a sold-out Mattamy Athletic Centre (formerly Maple Leaf Gardens), airing on CBC, TSN and Sportsnet.

According to a press release, the debut game had an average audience of 879,000, with a peak of 1.113 million viewing the game around the halfway mark of the second period.

For context, the NHL averages were under 400,000 viewers on major networks last season.

“The enthusiastic response to our historic opening game reflects Canada’s national interest in our sport, our outstanding athletes and the PWHL,” said Stan Kasten, PWHL Advisory Board member, in the release. “We truly hear the statement our viewing audience made Monday, and we cherish the level of engagement shown.”

The game was also streamed on YouTube, as every game will be this season. The Toronto/New York matchup had over 130,000 watching on the site, peaking just under 16,000 concurrent viewers.

New York ended up spoiling the party for the home side, shutting out Toronto, 4-0.

The league followed that up with an incredible turnout for Ottawa’s home opener on Tuesday. 8,318 fans jammed into The Arena at TD Place to see an exciting overtime battle between Ottawa and Montreal, with Ann-Sophie Bettez playing the hero for Montreal.

New York has a chance to start the season 2-0, as they open their home schedule on Friday night at Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut, once again taking on Toronto.

Through three games, the road team has won, as Minnesota took down Boston on Wednesday night. Only Minnesota and Montreal have yet to hold their home openers.