New York Sirens Draw Record 8,264 Fans After Olympics

The New York Sirens drew a record crowd of 8,264 fans to the Prudential Center on March 8 for their game against Ottawa, marking a dramatic turnaround for the Professional Women's Hockey League team and signaling a broader surge in interest for women's hockey following the Winter Olympics in Milan.

Sarah Fillier, a forward for the Sirens, had grown used to empty sections behind the benches during her first two seasons, as the team limited ticket sales in those areas due to low attendance. Last season, the Sirens averaged just 2,764 fans per home game, the lowest in the league, after struggling to establish a foothold in a competitive New York sports market and relocating from their initial venue to the home of the NHL's New Jersey Devils. But on March 8, the entire lower bowl filled up, with fans spilling into upper sections, as the Sirens secured a 6-2 victory that surpassed their previous high of 5,132.

"Being able to look across and see fans cheer you on, getting involved in the game and reacting to in-game emotions and situations, it was so cool," Fillier said. She noted the contrast to road games, where crowds often opposed the team. "It was really nice to have them truly...