PWHL sets U.S. women’s hockey attendance record with 14,018 fans in Denver

The PWHL broke another attendance record on Sunday, as the neutral-site game between the Minnesota Frost and Montreal Victoire in Denver’s Ball Arena, home of the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, broke the record for the most fans at a women’s hockey game in the U.S. with 14,018.

The Frost defeated the Victoire 4-2, with Minnesota defender Sophie Jaques led the way with a goal and assist in 20:13 of ice time, her first game back since Dec. 19. The 2023 Patty Kazmaier Award winner now has a goal and four assists for five points in five games this season.

Britta Curl, Maggie Flaherty and Michela Cava also scored for the Frost. Curl now has five goals on the season, tied for the league lead with New York Sirens forward Alex Carpenter.

The win gives the Frost a 4-3-1-2 record with 19 points, passing the Victoire for first place in the PWHL standings. Montreal is now 4-2-1-2 with 17 points after the loss.

The announced attendance number breaks the previous record set last March when PWHL Boston and PWHL Ottawa played at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Mich., in front of 13,736 fans.

The all-time record for a women’s hockey game in any country was set last April when 21,105 fans were in attendance to see PWHL Montreal host PWHL Toronto at the “Duel at the Top,” at the Bell Centre, home of the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens. That game shattered the previous record of 19,285, set when Toronto hosted Montreal in the “Battle on Bay Street” at Scotiabank Arena, home of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs.