2021 NHL Stadium Series: Five Things Hurricanes Fans Can Look Forward To

The Carolina Hurricanes are finally hosting an outdoor game next season. Here are the five top things to look forward to as the countdown begins!

Ladies and gentleman, it’s official. The Carolina Hurricanes will be hosting the 2021 NHL Stadium Series in Raleigh, NC on February 20th 2021. The outdoor game will be held just a couple hundred feet away from PNC Arena, at Carter Finley Stadium, home to the NC State Wolfpack Football team.

The announcement was made during the first period of the 2020 NHL Stadium Series that featured the Colorado Avalanche and the Los Angeles Kings.

“It’s a testament to the great fan base that we’ve always known has been in the Triangle and it’s great to see the community reengage in the way they have over the last season. ” – Gary Bettman, the commissioner of the National Hockey League.

Carter Finley Stadium is a gorgeous facility that would be perfect for an outdoor hockey game. The stadium holds up to 57,583 people and there’s not a bad seat in the house.

“We’re proud to be the first NHL market in the Southeast to host an outdoor game and we’re going to do everything we can to make as many seats available as possible, because we know how high demand will be for this game, and the epic tailgate that will accompany it.” – Carolina Hurricanes majority owner Tom Dundon.

Outside of the Stadium Series game though, there are so many other things to look forward to with such a big event being held here in Raleigh.

With that in mind, Let’s take a look at five exciting things that Caniacs and hockey fans hoping to attend can look forward to.

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 14: Carolina Hurricanes fans gather outside of the arena prior to Game Three between the Boston Bruins and the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 14, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Tailgate

Another big thing to look forward to is the tailgating. As soon as the announcement for the Stadium Series game was made the @Canes Twitter account did not hesitate to tell everyone they would  “Catch you at the Tailgate” as well as stating that “the tailgate will be epic y’all” as their Twitter bio currently says.

If you were at any of the playoff games last season, you know just how crazy the PNC Arena Parking lots can get when it comes to pre-gaming and preparing for a big game. Now imagine that and TRIPLE it!

Depending on how the weather falls on February 20th 2021 and what season NC decides to give us on that day, as long as it’s not raining you can bet thousands and thousands of Caniacs will be out in full force bright and early for the big game.

Since February 20th 2021 is so far away, it’s safe to assume that the Hurricanes organization are just getting started with massive tailgate plans. I wouldn’t be surprised if they book a local artist or two to perform before the big game as well as bring the fun festivities that the South Plaza Parties had during the 2019 Playoff run.

RALEIGH, NC – MAY 03: Singer and entertainer Scotty McCreery cheers on the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round against the New York Islanders during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 3, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Concert

When the 2021 Stadium Series was announced, it was also reported that there would be a “Big Name Concert” the day before the big game. Many fans have been debating on who they think the performer will be. Here are some of my best guests:

Scotty McCreery – Just about everyone who is a Hurricanes fan as well as a country music fan knows that Scotty is a HUGE Caniac. Scotty has been going to the games for quite some time now and he takes to twitter all the time to congratulate the Canes on big wins as well as cheer them on whenever he can. I have even seen him start the wave at PNC Arena more then once and he absolutely loves interacting with the fans.

Petey Pablo – Many fans have also stated that they’d love to see Petey Pablo perform at Carter Finley in preparation for the NHL Stadium Series. I think he would also be a great candidate considering he’s a Hurricanes fan himself and his hit song “Raise Up” is the Hurricanes goal song and boy is it a good one. My only concern is Petey having to tone it down a bit to be more family friendly should he perform the day before the big event.

Green Day- Green Day is another good choice to headline the 2021 Stadium Series. They are the official band of the NHL and are currently on a two-year contract with the NHL. Green Day has some great classics as well as some good new songs and I could picture them rocking out with the crowd before the big game.

No matter who ends up performing for the 2020 NHL Stadium Series, I am sure it will be a fun and rocking time for Caniacs in preparation for the big game. I personally would love to see Scotty McCreery hold the concert but who do you think the Big Name Concert will be?

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – FEBRUARY 23: The Pittsburgh Penguins celebrate their 4-3 overtime victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2019 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series game at the Lincoln Financial Field on February 23, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Opponent

Although the opponent has not yet been chosen for who will face-off against the Hurricanes, you can bet it is bound to be a great match-up.

Early reports had indicated that the Washington Capitals would be the ones to face-off against the Carolina Hurricanes on February 20th 2021 but it appears now that is not the case.

As far as when the NHL will announce who will be playing the Hurricanes in the Stadium Series, all we know is that it will be announced “at a later date”.

I for one, hope it is either a Metropolitan Division team or the Tampa Bay Lightning because I mean c’mon who wouldn’t wanna see a Red vs Blue match-up?

Whoever the opponent is though, they will be in for quite a wild ride with all those Caniacs bringing the noise and energy cheering on their Carolina Hurricanes.

The Outdoor Storm Surge

Yup, That’s right folks. Call up Don Cherry once again…oh wait I am being told that he’s out of work.

Should the Carolina Hurricanes win their outdoor game on February 20th 2021, it sure would be interesting to see what the players come up with for a celebration.

The past two seasons the Storm Surge has brought fans together near and far and turned the Carolina Hurricanes into the “Bunch of Jerks” that they still proudly are today. Im willing to bet that some of the Hurricanes players have already had a thought or two on what an outdoor surge could look like.

No matter who the opponent will be at Carter Finley Stadium, the Storm Surge would be a fun thing for all in attendance to see. Every game at PNC Arena, even when opposing fans show up, a vast majority of them stay for the Storm Surge because you can’t deny it’s fun entertainment. I have even seen opposing fans participate and do the Skol Clap during a surge.

Some Hurricanes fans online are even suggesting that the Hurricanes get both teams to deliver a surge in good riddance.

If you could direct an NHL Stadium Series Storm Surge what would you have in mind?

Final Thoughts

With just about a year away, there are so many things to look forward to for the 2021 NHL Stadium Series. Whether it be the Jerseys, Tailgates, Concerts, Opponent, or the Storm Surge it’s quite hard to contain the excitement.

The 2021 NHL Stadium Series sure will be one for the books and an amazing time for Caniacs and all hockey fans near and far and it will be fantastic for Raleigh. It will be interesting to see what more details are to come in the coming months leading up to the event.

Question for CC Readers: What are you most looking forward to for the 2021 NHL Stadium Series?