Women’s hockey-record crowd of 19,285 watches Toronto beat Montreal 3-0 in PWHL

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Toronto’s Jesse Compher shoots on Montreal goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens during the third period of a PWHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Toronto takes on Montreal during a PWHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Toronto’s Jesse Compher, second from left, celebrates with teammates after scoring against Montreal during the third period of a PWHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Toronto’s Hannah Miller, center, celebrates after scoring against Montreal during the third period of a PWHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Toronto’s Jesse Compher, center, celebrates with Brittany Howard, left, and Hannah Miller after scoring against Montreal during the third period of a PWHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Fans celebrate after a Toronto goal against Montreal during third-period PWHL hockey game action in Toronto, Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Toronto’s Blayre Turnbull shoots on Montreal goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens during the first period of a PWHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Toronto takes on Montreal during the first period of a PWHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Toronto’s Allie Munroe, left, vies for the puck against Montreal’s Jillian Dempsey during the second period of a PWHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Toronto’s Jesse Compher, left, celebrates after scoring against Montreal goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens during the third period of a PWHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Toronto’s Victoria Bach celebrates after scoring against Montreal during the third period of a PWHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Toronto’s Victoria Bach vies for the puck against Montreal’s Sarah Bujold during the first period of a PWHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Montreal goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens saves a shot from Toronto’s Emma Maltais during the third period of a PWHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Toronto’s Jesse Compher, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring against Montreal during third-period PWHL hockey game action in Toronto, Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Toronto’s Brittany Howard, left, shoots against Montreal goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens, right, during third-period PWHL hockey game action in Toronto, Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Toronto’s Natalie Spooner shoots as Montreal’s Kati Tabin defends during the third period of a PWHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Toronto’s Hannah Miller takes the puck past Montreal’s Maureen Murphy during the first period of a PWHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

TORONTO (AP) — Kristen Campbell made 30 saves in front of a women’s hockey-record crowd of 19,285 fans at Scotiabank Arena, helping Toronto beat Montreal 3-0 on Friday night in the Professional Women’s Hockey League.

“The Battle on Bay Street” broke the attendance record of 18,013 set at the 2013 world championships in Ottawa, Ontario, for a preliminary round game between Canada and Finland. Minnesota set the previous PWHL mark of 13,316 for its home opener against Montreal on Jan. 6 at Xcel Energy Center.

“It just shows that demand for women’s hockey and women’s sport.” Campbell said after the team’s first game at the home of the NHL’s Maple Leafs. “Playing in this venue was something that we’re always going to cherish for the rest of our lives.”

Jesse Compher, Hannah Miller and Victoria Bach — into an empty net — scored in the third period to help Toronto (6-5-0) win its fourth straight. Ann-Renee Desbiens stopped 21 shots for Montreal (6-2-2).

“To see the amount of signs in the stands, to see little girls, little boys, families coming up, it’s unbelievable,” Montreal star Marie-Philip Poulin said. “What’s happening in women’s hockey right now, it’s surreal and we all take it in with a big smile.”

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Compher opened the scoring at 5:11 of the third with a shot over Desbiens’ shoulder. Miller made it 2-0 with 4:39 remaining, firing a wrist between Desbiens’ legs. Bach scored with 4:07 left with Desbiens off for an extra attacker.

Canadian women’s basketball team star Kia Nurse, the cousin of PWHL Toronto star Sarah Nurse, performed the ceremonial puck drop.

UP NEXT

Montreal: Hosts Minnesota on Sunday.

Toronto: Hosts New York on Friday.

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AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports