Hurricanes Outdoor Game: Carter Finley is the Only Option

The Winter Classic down in Dallas had a massive turnout of over 85 thousand fans. It left people wondering if the Hurricanes should host in a big stadium as well.

The Winter Classic down in Dallas was an outstanding success. It was a game that had everything from walk of shame, to big hits, to an outstanding comeback win. It has made Hurricanes fans hungry for the same experience. However with the Cotton Bowl Stadium hosting over 85 thousand fans, made wondered if the Hurricanes should think bigger than Carter Finley.

The Winter Classic of 2021 has already been set. The Minnesota Wild will host a yet to be named opponent in Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins. That still leaves the door open for a Stadium Series game next season or at least the 2022 Winter Classic. But where should it be hosted?

We have already seen the cones laid out at Carter Finley for two years in a row when League Commissioner Gary Bettman has visited. Tom Dundon has made it clear, he wants an outdoor game for the Carolina Hurricanes and he wants to host.

But this has been a group effort across the state. The state governor has even gone as far as help push through and sign a bill that would allow for alcoholic beverages to be consumed on college grounds, paving the way for any sporting location, including Carter-Finley to be the host of an outdoor NHL game.

But should Carter Finley be the only option in the list? After all why not go after a bigger Stadium? One that can rival the Cotton Bowl? Why not move it to a bigger city?

Those have been the questions bouncing around several Caniacs. Bank of America and its 75,412 seats has been a hot button topic for this as Charlotte’s citizens feel a little left out of the mix. They have even brought up Charlotte Motor Speedway as another viable option with its nearly 90,000 seats and North Carolina’s affinity for motor sports.

At the end of the day there are reasons to shoot down any option that is not the Carter Finley. And most fans would agree:

So why not go as big as Charlotte Motor Speedway? Simply put, the seats are so widley spread, there wouldn’t be a way get the fans close enough to the action to see the ice and have every seat occupied. it would have to be cut down to a specific area with extra bleachers built in. If you were to do the math at the end of the day, that 90,000 seats will be cut down dramatically.

Not to mention it is in Charlotte. What do I have against the Queen City? Nothing. Bank of America Stadium is not a bad option. Except for the fact that  Charlotte is a pretty secluded city outside of comfortable driving range of other major cities outside of the Carolinas.

See the ideal opponent (and the most likely) will the Washington Capitals. Needless to say Carter Finley in Raleigh would be a much more closer arena to their fanbase and would ensure a full house.

Now I know what you are thinking, “Omar they invented planes and Charlotte has one of the best airports in the nation!”

Yes and yes. But consider this, BOA has about 75 thousand seats. Carter Finley has about 57 Thousand. Is the difference of 18 thousand extra fans that may or may not show up worth the extra costs of logistics when you move the event several hours away from.. well… everyone?

The answer is no. Especially when you add on the savings the Hurricanes would incur by hosting the event across the street, literally. That would help avoid a myriad of  issues to include weather issues. If for some reason the weather is not ideal to host it outside, they will simply move it inside (granted almost 30 thousand fans will be stuck without a seat).

Parking control would also be something they can be better prepared for. PNC and Carter Finley share the same parking lot for the events. The state grounds across the street would probably provide extra parking. These are only a few of the many logistical nightmares that would be alleviated by simply going across the street.

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At the end of the day take this last piece of trivia to go along with you. Target Field, home of the next Winter Classic, only seats 39,504. That is about 18 thousand less than Carter Finley and the same difference between Carter Finley and BOA. The Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, host of a Stadium Series event between the Capitals and Maple Leafs only seats 34,000.

Bigger is not always better. The key to success to an outdoor game is the fans. That’s the moral of the story here. better to fill up a smaller arena with loud and passionate fans than simply try to go bigger for the sake of numbers. After all, a PNC arena with only 15,000 fans is louder than a sold out Maple Leafs game.

Question for CC Readers: Where do you think the Hurricanes should host their outdoor game?