PWHL sets another attendance record with 13,316 fans for Minnesota and Montreal

The PWHL has again outdone itself, breaking the professional women’s hockey attendance record for the second time in five days when a crowd of 13,316 packed Xcel Energy Center for Minnesota’s home opener against Montreal.

Minnesota won today’s game 3-0, thanks to a hat trick from Grace Zumwinkle, the first hat trick in league history. Minnesota is now 2-0-0 while Montreal falls to 1-1-0.

The PWHL broke the attendance record earlier in the week when 8,318 were in attendance at The Arena at TD Place in Ottawa when they hosted Montreal.

“In a state of 10,000 lakes, over 13,000 fans provided an unforgettably wonderful moment today for everyone connected with the PWHL,” said Stan Kasten, PWHL Advisory Board member. “Minnesota’s full-throttle welcome for our athletes and our league brought even more hockey voltage to Xcel Energy Center. We are profoundly appreciative of the support and will strive, every day, to give our fans all the great feelings you gave us today.”

“Living in the State of Hockey, I knew our fans would show up for us, but today they have taken it to a whole new level,” said Natalie Darwitz, PWHL Minnesota General Manager. “I feel tremendously proud and inspired by our fan support. On behalf of our team and our league, I want to thank the fans and everyone who has made this day possible.

“I’ve enjoyed numerous amazing hockey experiences in Minnesota over my career, and experiencing today and the record crowd was emotional and ranks near the top of the list,” Darwitz continued.

Saturday’s attendance was the largest ever for a women’s hockey game in Minnesota, including international games involving the U.S. national team.

Before the PWHL began, the championship game of the 2021-22 Svenska Damhockeyligan (SDHL) season between Brynas and Lulea held the worldwide professional women’s ice hockey record with a crowd of 7,765.