Article by Frank Fitzpatrick, @FitzPhotoAndFun
It was a record-breaking night in downtown Washington DC as the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) brought its Takeover Tour to Capital One Arena. The matchup featured the New York Sirens and the Montréal Victoire, marking a major milestone for the league, which launched its inaugural season in January 2024 and now includes eight teams across the United States and Canada.
The action started quickly. Just 1:24 into the first period, a Sirens rookie capitalized on an early power play to score the opening goal and set the tone. Montréal answered later in the period to tie the game at one. The decisive moment came late in the second period, when New York netted the third and final goal, giving the Sirens a lead they would not relinquish.
An announced crowd of 17,228 packed Capital One Arena, the largest attendance for a professional women’s hockey game in the city. While New York was the geographically closer team, much of the crowd appeared to be pulling for Montréal. Among them were MCPS students Sam and Calvin, both hoping to see a Victoire win. Throughout the night, chants of “We want a team” echoed through the arena, underscoring growing local interest in bringing a PWHL franchise to the nation’s capital.
Players from both teams referenced the atmosphere during their postgame press conferences, calling the energy electric and praising Washington, D.C. for its strong support of professional women’s hockey.
Part of the Montréal support may have been tied to a familiar hockey name for longtime DMV fans. Hayley Scamurra, who wears number 16 for the Victoire and lives in Maryland during the offseason, made her professional hockey debut in D.C. Her father, Peter Scamurra, was drafted by the Washington Capitals and played for the team from 1975 to 1979.
Goal scorers:
Kristýna Kaltounko, New York, 1:24 first period
Maggie Flaherty, Montréal, 19:29 first period
Anne Cherkowski, New York, 14:47 second period
