PWHL Ottawa's success marked both on and off the ice
Excitement is brewing for PWHL Ottawa's final home game of the regular season Saturday afternoon at TD Place. Following a close win Wednesday against Boston, Ottawa players were hard at work Friday morning prepping for the upcoming match against Montreal.
This first PWHL season saw record-breaking crowds coming out for the Ottawa team - marking history for women's hockey - and Carla MacLeod is continuing to build upon this momentum.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
"This community has rallied the entire season, and I think it's been part of our foundation as a team as we've gotten better and better," said MacLeod.
As the team went head-to-head in a warmup match, the Kingston Ice Wolves watched intently from the stands. For the young girls, the morning offered a chance to watch and meet their hockey heroes.
"Just knowing that we could be that when we're older now - it's just amazing," said Charlotte Benn.
"It's really hard to express what we're feeling because it's just so much," said Quinn Freeman.
The Kingston Ice Wolves got the chance to meet their hockey heroes on Apr. 26, 2024 (Sam Houpt/CTV News)
The same was true for minor leagues across the region that are in agreement: this was a season to remember.
"Now that we have something to dream about and go for, it's incredible how popular it has gotten throughout these three months," said Gloucester Cumberland Stars player Kalea Quintanilla. "There's a lot of history being made at the moment."
Ottawa teacher Ashley Cathcart-McKinnon says the PWHL's success has become a source of inspiration to share with her students.
"This has helped kids learn more about hockey - it's a strong movement and very exciting to the point where I've gone to a lot of the home games," she said.
Fans attribute the surge in popularity to the league's cultivation of talent.
"You're going to see Olympic gold and silver medalists, some of the best players in the U.S., Canada, and around the world," said Patrick Trudeau.
"Before it was like, 'should I watch NCAA or should I watch the international tournament?' - Now, if you want to know who the best professional women's hockey team is, watch PWHL," said fan Jarrad Haas.
The PWHL logo on the TD Centre rink. Apr. 26, 2024 (Sam Houpt/CTV News)
Saturday's game has already sold out – the stakes of making the playoffs setting the tone for ticket holders.
"I'm a Sens and Redblacks fan and they've had a long playoff drought," said Haas. "PWHL Ottawa has a chance to put that to an end."
Ottawa will face down Montreal Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at TD Place.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
Family of toddler found dead at small-town Ont. daycare no closer to answers after year of investigation
A year has passed since two-year-old Vienna Irwin was found on the property of a home-based daycare in small-town Ontario, but her family says they are no closer to answers of what happened that day.
Grayson Murray, two-time PGA Tour winner, dead at 30
Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.
Humboldt Broncos crash victims and families react to decision to deport truck driver
The family of one of the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018 says they are 'thankful' for a decision by a Calgary immigration board to deport the driver of the truck involved.
Fatal plane crash reported near Squamish, B.C.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has confirmed it is working with local Mounties and the BC Coroners Service after a plane crash near Squamish, B.C. Friday night.
'God forgives but we don’t': Loud outburst from stabbing victim’s family during sentencing hearing
An emotional outburst in a London, Ont. courtroom Friday disrupted the sentencing hearing of a woman who pleaded guilty for her part in the death of 29-year-old Mohammed Abdallah.
Three dead after vehicle plunged down a 100-foot embankment in Shediac, N.B.
Three people have died after a vehicle veered off the road in Shediac N.B., Friday morning.
Appeal denied for Edmonton soldier accused of trying to kill her 3 children
An Edmonton woman found guilty of trying to kill her three children has been denied an appeal.