Outdoor game marks another Sun Belt push
The Carolina Hurricanes were days away from hosting an NHL Stadium Series outdoor game and Don Waddell was feeling the stress of hoping that everything goes smoothly and the thrill of the opportunity ahead.
It's the same mix of emotions for NHL organizers, too.
“It's very exciting because we're going to expose the game of hockey to a lot of people in the region here that have never been exposed to our game,” said Waddell, Carolina's president and general manager.
The Hurricanes face the Washington Capitals in tonight's game at Carter-Finley Stadium, home to North Carolina State's college football team and just across the street from their home ice at PNC Arena. The game, delayed two years because of COVID-19 attendance restrictions, is set to draw a sellout crowd of roughly 57,000.
Beyond today, there is additional significance: It marks another season that the league known for its “Original Six” roots in cities like New York, Chicago and Toronto is holding marquee outdoor events in a socalled “nontraditional” market within its southern footprint.
Three years ago was Dallas. Last year was Nashville. Now it's North Carolina's capital city grabbing a spotlight for professional hockey in a region long associated with college football.
“This city has embraced us,” said Steve Mayer, the NHL's chief content officer and event producer. “I think one of the things we've noticed being here is just the talk everywhere we go. We're in a restaurant and the waiter or waitress comes up and they're talking about the game, an Uber driver talking about the game, at our hotel. The buzz is really out there.”
At the minimum, it represents another highlight for the former Hartford Whalers franchise since relocating to North Carolina for the 1997-98 season.
The Hurricanes have hosted two Stanley Cup Final series, winning in 2006. They hosted the 2004 draft and 2011 All-Star Weekend.
And after a nine-year playoff drought, they have reached four consecutive postseasons with two division titles under coach and 2006 captain Rod Brind'Amour.
They also have a devoted fan base known for rarely passing up the opportunity to tailgate or create the roaring, festive environments now common at Carolina's home playoff games.
“I think they deserve it,” Brind'Amour said. “We've got a great fan base down there. We know about it. I'm there every day with them and they pack the place and they're loud and they support the team in a small market as well as any in the NHL.”
ISLANDERS 5, PENGUINS 4 » Zach Parise scored the tiebreaker late in the third period and Brock Nelson added two goals as New York edged Pittsburgh.
Anders Lee had two goals and an assist, Ilya Sorokin finished with 40 saves, and the Islanders snapped a three-game skid that included two overtime losses.
BLACKHAWKS 4, SENATORS 3, OT » Andreas Athanasiou scored at 2:52 of overtime to lift Chicago over Ottawa.
The Blackhawks overcame a two-goal deficit in the third period, tying it with 3:05 left on Patrick Kane's second goal of the game. The goal was Kane's 1,217th point, giving him the third-most points among U.S.-born players.
Petr Mrazek made 28 saves to help Chicago snap a three-game losing streak.
WILD 2, STARS 1, SO » Matt Boldy scored in the shootout and Filip Gustavsson turned back the tying attempt to help Minnesota edge Dallas.
TRADE » The Maple Leafs acquired forwards Ryan O'Reilly and Noel Acciari from the Blues in a threeteam trade with the Wild.
Toronto sent forwards Mikhail Abramov and Adam Gaudette, a 2023 first-round draft pick, Ottawa's 2023 third-round selection and the Leafs' 2024 secondround choice to St. Louis. Minnesota received Toronto's 2025 fourth-round selection. The Blues will retain 50% of O'Reilly's salary, while the Wild will take on 25% as part of the trade.