Edmonton hosts third PWHL Takeover Tour game as league ponders expansion

Boston Fleet’s Shay Maloney (27) and Vancouver Goldeneyes’ Ashton Bell (21) battle for the puck during second period PWHL hockey action in Edmonton on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

By The Canadian Press

Apr 8, 2026 | 2:04 AM

EDMONTON — Edmonton’s hopes for an expansion franchise in the Professional Women’s Hockey League got another boost Tuesday when 10,794 fans turned out for a third Takeover Tour game at Rogers Place.

While attendance was down from the first of the three games played in Edmonton over the last two seasons, the enthusiastic fan response throughout the 5-1 Boston Fleet win over the Vancouver Goldeneyes caught the attention of the players.

“It would be great for the league,” Goldeneyes captain Ashton Bell said of Edmonton getting a franchise. “We’ve played two games here and the fans have been great…they’ve been hoping for a team.”

Vancouver, which along with the Seattle Torrent joined the PWHL this season, dropped its second neutral-site game in Edmonton. The Minnesota Frost defeated the Goldeneyes 2-1 in December.