The Seattle Torrent needed just one home game to make history.
The PWHL expansion team drew a crowd of 16,014 to its game against the Minnesota Frost on Friday, shattering the U.S. record for the highest attendance at a professional women’s hockey game.
The old mark of 14,288 was established earlier this year, when the New York Sirens and Minnesota Frost played a neutral-site game at Detroit on March 16.
Torrent captain Hilary Knight said of competing in front of a record crowd, according to The Athletic, “It’s super special. A lot of inaugural (experiences), but there’s something about Seattle that is just so special. … A dream come true, pinch-me moment.”
Minnesota, the two-time defending league champion, won the game 3-0 behind two goals from Kelly Pannek and one from Grace Zumwinkle. Nicole Hensley made 30 saves for the shutout, while Torrent goalie Corinne Schroeder turned aside 22 shots.
Pannek said of Seattle’s fan support, “It’s great that they have a new team and set a new record, and it’s fun to see all the other markets in the U.S. compete to try to one-up that mark. Even if it’s not the crowd cheering for you, it’s so fun to play in a sold-out arena.”
The Torrent remain winless, having dropped their opener 4-3 in overtime against the host Vancouver Goldeneyes on Nov. 21. The Frost also lost their opener on Nov. 21, 2-1 against the visiting Toronto Sceptres.
–Field Level Media
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