The Carolina Hurricanes returned home to PNC Arena this weekend and rattled off two wins on back to back nights. This comes after a gauntlet of a six game road trip that left the Canes below .500 winning percentage for the first time in what seems like forever. The latter of those home games included Andrei Svechnikov on the ice for the first time since March 11th and a Teuvo Teravainen hatty.
Those two wins improved Carolina to 5-4 on the season and 3-0 at home. Those wins also show we should expect nothing different at home compared to the last two seasons. The stadium was rocking as per usual, and the team fed off that energy like always.
There is something special about PNC Arena. Maybe it’s because it is the only major sports team in Raleigh. Maybe its because Raleigh is just a hocketytown. Maybe it’s because it is the loudest arena in the NHL. Whatever the reason, every time the Hurricanes take the ice, the fans let the team know just how appreciated they are.
It is quite evident that Tom Dundon and the Canes are aware how much they are loved, too. With the agreement in place to upgrade PNC Arena and the surrounding area as well as a lease signed through 2044, Raleigh will be home to the Canes for quite some time.
And that’s a good thing. The atmosphere is like no other. Last year, Carolina had a .683 winning percentage including a win at Carter Finley Stadium for the NHL Stadium Series game. The year before that a .707 home winning percentage.
There are no adjectives that do the experience justice. The instant deafness provided by the cheers of a goal. The palpable nervous energy of a close game. And the love and mutual appreciation for the Hurricanes and their fans. That’s why there is no place like PNC Arena. There truly is no place like home.