The Game Room Bar at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, NJ was a lot buzzier than your typical Tuesday afternoon yesterday. The reason? The PWHL’s New York Sirens—and the compelling USA-Canada women’s hockey preliminary round game at Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026—to thank.
A large, happy gathering of fans across genders and ages, much like a Sirens game, had come together for one of the PWHL’s Ultimate Watch Parties, a chance to hang with fellow fans, watch some great Olympic hockey and, in cases such as the Game Room event, meet some players from the Sirens.
Besides numerous Sirens staffers who were mingling with fans and giving away team swag, players Elle Hartje, Allyson Simpson and Savannah Norcross (left to right in photo below) were there.
“It’s so fun to be out here to watch and support our teammates who are playing in the Olympics,” said the Frisco, TX-born Simpson, who has six teammates playing in Milano Cortina and is friendly with many of the other PWHL players over there as well. “I root for my friends, but then it’s also fun to root for the USA.”
Most of the folks at Game Room were rooting for the USA as well, and they definitely had fun—the atmosphere was lively, and Team USA posted a historic win over their long-time rivals.
As Sirens General Manager Pascal Dauost said earlier in February, “Behind every great athlete is a family that believes. The New York Sirens family—our fans—plays a powerful role in the journeys of our athletes competing at the Olympics. By coming together, we amplify our energy, our pride and our support. The performances will be extraordinary, but the moments we create together may be even more unforgettable. Join us at our watch parties and experience the magic as one family.”
Dauost could have been speaking for the PWHL at large with his comment about the fans as an extension of the teams, and every single PWHL team got in on the action with at least one Ultimate Watch Party focused on the Olympics.
Boston Fleet fans rooted on their (and Team USA’s) superstar goalie Aerin Frankel:
And so it’s gone and will continue to go across the PWHLs eight markets in North America over the course of Milano Cortina 2026, the league merging together, as Simpson put it, “fans of the PWHL and fans of the Olympics. They go hand-in-hand.”
In the Game Room, the vibes were highest when Team USA’s Hannah Bilka—from the Dallas area just like Simpson, who knows her well—scored her second goal of the game late in the second period to make it 4-0, USA. The game was in hand, the crowd was happy and the time had come for a group photo. The cue to smile? Forget “cheese” in this crowd. It went: “1-2-3...Wee Woo!”
Check out the official Upcoming Watch Parties page for info on how you can attend one and to see pictures from previous events!
