The PWHL’s Biggest Rivalries Explained: What Fuels Them And Why They Matter

Rivalries are how a league goes from “cool new thing” to “I’m rearranging my night for this game.”

And the PWHL has already built a few matchups that feel appointment-viewing — the kind where the pace ramps up, the whistles get louder, and every goal comes with an extra stare.

For a New England sports fan, that’s especially true around the Boston Fleet. Boston’s games tend to come with a little extra edge because the league is tight, the points matter, and the personalities are big.

Here’s a beginner-friendly look at the PWHL’s biggest rivalries — what actually fuels them and why they’re worth your attention.

Why PWHL rivalries hit fast

Some leagues need decades to build grudges. The PWHL has shortcuts:

• Geography and big markets (hello, packed barns and loud road sections).
• National-team familiarity — players know each other’s tendencies and have history.
• Meaningful points every night in a league where the gap between seeds is usually thin.
• Showcase events that crank up the intensity and spotlight.

Now, the matchups.

Montreal Victoire vs Toronto Sceptres

Fuel: national pride, star power, and “prove it in the biggest building” energy.

If you’re looking for the rivalry that best represents the PWHL’s ceiling, start here. Montreal–Toronto is big-city hockey with huge stakes, huge personalities, and crowds that feel like a statement. The league set the women’s hockey world attendance record when Montreal hosted Toronto at Bell Centre with 21,105 fans.

Why it matters: When these teams play, it doesn’t feel like regular season — it feels like a measuring stick. It’s also the cleanest entry point for new fans: the pace is high, the details are sharp, and the atmosphere is elite.

Boston Fleet vs New York Sirens

Fuel: I-95 tension, familiar rosters, and games that get chippy in a hurry.

Boston–New York makes sense without any backstory: it’s two major markets, a quick trip, and the kind of sports relationship where nobody wants to lose anything to the other city. In the PWHL, it’s also been a matchup with real emotion — including personnel movement that adds spice when teams see each other again.

Why it matters: This is the rivalry that can turn into a track meet or a grind, depending on how the first five minutes go. And for Fleet fans, it’s the perfect “circle this on the calendar” series — because the bragging rights feel immediate.

Boston Fleet vs Montreal Victoire

Fuel: cross-border pride, big-stage games, and overtime drama.

This one has become quietly must-watch, and it’s a great example of how rivalries are built by moments. Montreal and Boston played a “Duel at the Top” game at the Bell Centre that drew 17,324 fans — and it ended in an overtime thriller.

Why it matters: it’s the event game feel, but with a different flavor than Montreal–Toronto. For Boston, it’s a chance to spoil a party in a hockey-crazy city. For Montreal, it’s a measuring stick against a team that can match skill and structure.

Boston Fleet vs Minnesota Frost

Fuel: playoff scars and “we remember” hockey.

If you want the rivalry that feels the most like traditional hockey history — where a single series can shape the next few seasons — Boston vs Minnesota is the one. Minnesota won the first-ever Walter Cup by beating Boston in the finals, which instantly gave every future meeting a little extra bite.

Why it matters: postseason history turns regular-season games into chapters, not standalones. Boston isn’t just trying to win; Boston’s trying to prove something.

Seattle Torrent vs Vancouver Goldeneyes

Fuel: pure geography — and two new markets hungry to own the West.

Every league needs a natural “neighbors who can’t stand each other” matchup, and the PWHL’s expansion to Seattle and Vancouver set that up immediately.

Why it matters: rivalries grow faster when fanbases can realistically travel, chirp, and turn road games into home-ish games. Add in brand-new teams trying to plant flags, and you’ve got instant stakes.

The takeaway for Fleet fans

If you’re building your PWHL routine around Boston, these rivalries give you a cheat code: you don’t need to know every roster detail to know when a game means more.

Start with Boston–New York for pure rivalry vibes, circle Boston–Montreal for big-stage drama, and keep Boston–Minnesota in the “this one is personal” category because of the Walter Cup history.