Tis The Season to Be Jolly about the Carolina Hurricanes

The holidays are around the corner, and the Carolina Hurricanes have been playing in such a way that it’s been a gift to watch. As we get ready to open our presents, let’s take time to review the gifts the Carolina Hurricanes provided so far this season.

Christmas and Hanukkah is closer than you think. Hopefully, all the shopping has been completed, letters to Santa have been mailed, and cookies and treats are in the oven. As some of us put the finishing touches to prepare for the holidays, the Carolina Hurricanes are working on making sure their fans are feeling merry and bright.

Take this time to stare at the wondrous gifts wrapped in shiny paper and decorated with ribbons and bows. Do not forget to jump around with joy to find the presents with your name, and take this time to tear open gifts from the Carolina Hurricanes.

As we stare at the humongous, shiny one in the back we all know this reality…we cannot open the major one first. This gift is a two for one type of deal…our Goalies. If you are an opposing team, my first question for you is this; do you want to play against Petr Mrazek in PNC Arena? The answer is most definitely no.

Mrazek’s record at PNC this season gives fans reasons to chant, Petr! Petr! Petr! At PNC Arena, he has played thirteen game winning ten of them and lost only three. On the other hand, James Reimer is making his case as the road warrior. Reimer’s road record is 7-0-1. During this time, he has earned himself two shutouts.

Next it is time to open the cards. Instead of tearing open the cards just to get to the wealth inside, take a moment to enjoy the snow filled scene and appreciated the special teams inside. If you are not jumping up and down with joy watching the Carolina Hurricanes on the penalty kill it is most likely because they did not score a short handed goal…yet.

I am thinking about you Warren Foegele. Carolina’s penalty kill is second best in the NHL only to the San Jose Sharks. They have only let in one goal in the last 23 kills. Woah.

Not to be forgotten is the power-play. Gone are some of the powerplay woes of seasons past. The Hurricanes power-play is number eight in the NHL. Both powerplay units are generating scoring chances and scoring. I can remember watching the power-play only to shake my head. There was a pass too many, bad zone entry.

I will stop with these negative memories, it is the holidays.

Next is the gift that we seem to get each year, but we need to be reminded about how special this present is; the broadcasting team. The return of Mike Maniscalco for many fans was a early Christmas or Hanukkah gift. Watching Mike with his co-host Shane Willis is also a delight.

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Then there is the game broadcast itself with John Forslund and Tripp Tracy. I been watching this team for years. There is something different about hearing both John and Tripp with their call. It could be the years of working together, but I believe it is more.

Like the Hurricanes embraced the Storm Surge, both broadcasters embraced how much fun the Hurricanes play. The teams spirited play reminded them both of greatness of playoffs past. They can see the potential of greatness in the Hurricanes future.

The final present in the back, you know the humongous shine one covered in bows, we all might not be able to open until the playoffs, but if looking at the standing now serve me correct, the Hurricanes are in a playoff position right now.

They are not chasing for a spot, or like last year at this time one of the worst teams in the NHL. They are in a playoff spot. Let us all what until way after the holidays to open the shine gift, and hope for playoff glory in the summer.