VANCOUVER — Ashton Bell couldn’t sleep Thursday night.

The anticipation and excitement of writing the next chapter in women’s hockey history kept the Vancouver Goldeneyes captain awake.

It’s been nearly seven months since the Professional Women’s Hockey League announced Vancouver would be the first city to get an expansion team. On Friday, the Goldeneyes will play their first game against their fellow expansion side, the Seattle Torrent.

“We’re growing hockey here out West so I think it’s going to be nothing like I’ve experienced before,” Bell said. “And I can’t wait to see what the fans will bring in. The energy in this building is going to be incredible.”

A sold-out crowd of more than 15,000 fans is expected to take in the game at Vancouver’s historic Pacific Coliseum.

Goldeneyes he

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