The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) has witnessed a tremendous amount of popularity this season, and it didn't go unnoticed. The league was established in 2024, and within two editions, it has become a huge success.

TSN reporter Claire Hanna highlighted this in her recent post on X. She shared a snap of the PWHPA All-Star game event, comparing it to a picture taken at the recent Game 3 of the Walter Cup Finals.

Set at the same venue, the two snaps were taken almost three years apart. The first picture was taken on December 10, 2022, showing that the arena was mostly empty.

However, the atmosphere was quite different in 2026. This time, it was bustling with people cheering for the players.

Hanna expressed delight over the difference in attendance and spectacle, which solidified the growth of women's hockey.

"Oh how far we've come," she captioned the pictures.

In Game 3 of the PWHL Finals, the Ottawa Charge played against the Montreal Victoire. The attendance set a playoff record of 16,894.

The PWHL has come a long way in two years. Besides the growth in attendance, the league is already expanding, adding teams from Detroit and Hamilton for the 2026-27 season earlier this month.

Coupled with that, two more teams from Las Vegas and San Jose were announced on May 19, bringing the total number to 12.

Ottawa Charge secures a win in PWHL Game 3

The Ottawa Charge shone in PWHL Game 3 against the Montreal Victoire. On Monday, Ottawa grabbed an important victory to keep their chances of winning the cup alive. However, Montreal is still leading 2-1 in the best-of-five game series.

Forward Rebecca Leslie was the clutch factor, scoring the winner. Speaking to the press, Ottawa Charge head coach Carla MacLeod opened up about the team's performance and claimed that the next game will be just as close.

"This game is going to be close again," she stated, as per Ted Raymond of CTV News.

While acknowledging the stakes, she also praised her team's display.

"It’s two great teams on the ice, and I can assure you we love how we’re playing. We really like our game,” MacLeod stated.

She also reflected on the upcoming game and remaining focused.

“We like the brand that we’re bringing day in and day out, and honestly, we are genuinely excited to get going again in front of our fans at Canadian Tire Centre," she stated. "We have to win one in a row, and that’ll be our mission. We’re not looking any further ahead."

Ottawa will look to maintain momentum and level the tie in Game 4 on Wednesday. With the finals heating up, both teams will aim for glory and stand alongside two-time winners Minnesota Frost.

Read more at NHL Fan Central!

Written by

Ankita Yadav

Edited by

Sijo Paul