Vancouver Goldeneyes stay strong on home ice
The Vancouver Goldeneyes stay strong on home ice to start their first PWHL season, and Surrey is right in the middle of the story. In a 4–0 win over the New York Sirens, Surrey-born forward Jenn Gardiner scored her first goal as a Goldeneye — a short-handed marker that brought the crowd at Pacific Coliseum to its feet.
Goalie Emerance Maschmeyer turned aside all 28 shots she faced for the franchise’s first shutout, while Abby Boreen recorded her first multi-goal game with two tallies. The victory moved Vancouver to 2–0 at home after three early road losses, underlining how important the city’s support will be this season.
Homegrown talent powers PWHL debut
Five players on the roster hail from B.C., led by Gardiner from Surrey, who called scoring at home “pretty special” with so many friends and family in the stands. Joining her are Katie Chan of Richmond, Hannah Miller and Nina Jobst‑Smith of North Vancouver, and goalie Kimberly Newell of Burnaby, giving local fans plenty of names to claim as their own.
Head coach Brian Idalski said the team fed off the loud home crowd and stressed that the Vancouver Goldeneyes stay strong on home ice only if they keep delivering “a good product” and high-energy games. Saturday’s matchup was branded “Kids Takeover Day,” highlighting the role of the new PWHL club in inspiring young players across the region.
Growing women’s hockey in B.C.
Maschmeyer said seeing thousands of fans in Goldeneyes jerseys drove home how much the league already means to local families. “We inspire them, but honestly they inspire us,” she said, pointing to the energy kids brought to the building.
The B.C. influence extended to the visiting New York Sirens as well. Captain Micah Zandee‑Hart from Victoria and forward Anne Cherkowski from Coldstream both relished the chance to play pro hockey back in their home province, even in a loss. Zandee‑Hart said the new team proves how far women’s hockey has come in B.C., while Cherkowski noted the “ton of energy” in the Coliseum and the fun of playing in front of such a loud, engaged crowd.
With 9,502 fans at this second home date — and almost 15,000 at the Nov. 21 home opener against Seattle — the Vancouver Goldeneyes stay strong on home ice and are quickly becoming a flagship for women’s hockey on the West Coast, giving Surrey and all of B.C. a new team to rally around.
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