The Carolina Hurricanes look to regroup on Thursday night in
Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final.
The Canes lost to the Vegas Golden Knights 5-4 in Game 1 on
Tuesday night at Lenovo Center.
In the aftermath of Tuesday night’s loss, there are lengthy
Reddit posts and viral Instagram videos suggesting there is not enough
Hurricanes representation throughout Raleigh.
The Glenwood South district has mural that says “Canes Nation”
at 425 Glenwood Ave., and there are banners along the street.
In downtown Raleigh, Salisbury and Wilmington streets have
Canes flags. Fayetteville Street has Pride flags for Pride month.
The Downtown Raleigh Alliance told WRAL News it has Canes banners deployed throughout downtown streets, but it does not have any Stanley Cup banners for this year.
The town of Wake Forest also has Canes banners.
Some fans feel the Canes should
have signage at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The airport told one
social commenter that Canes gear is for sale at shops through security.
Hurricanes fan Mitch Smyth was among the fans visiting the
Carolina Pro Shop on Wednesday.
“When you’re driving in, it’s pretty cool to see the Stanley
Cup Playoffs on Edwards Mill [Road],” Smyth said. “That’s a nice touch. [It]
gets everyone fired up driving into the game.”
Richie Weber said he sees the Canes’ signage almost every day.
“I work in Wade Park, so I drive past the ‘welcome to
the Stanley Cup Final’ banner and playoff banner every time,” Weber said.
They say even if you don’t see the signage, the Caniacs are
there.
“Everyone cares about the Canes around here,” Weber said.
“[It] doesn’t matter if you don’t care about hockey or not, the Canes are a
part of the culture around here, and I think that’s what makes the Canes so
special.”
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Smyth also mentioned the watch
parties throughout the Raleigh area to watch the Canes in the playoffs. It
includes outside Lenovo Center, Moore Square and Smoky Hollow. There is a $10
fee for the watch party outside the Lenovo Center.
“A lot of young people [are] going out,” Smyth said. “People
care a lot about the team. It’s definitely a hockey city.”
2026 STANLEY CUP FINAL SCHEDULE
Game 2: Thursday, June 4, 8 p.m. Vegas at CarolinaGame 3: Saturday, June 6, 8 p.m. Carolina at Vegas Game 4: Tuesday, June 9, 8 p.m. Carolina at VegasGame 5*: Thursday, June 11, 8 p.m. Vegas at CarolinaGame 6*: Sunday, June 14, 8 p.m. Carolina at VegasGame 7*: Wednesday, June 17 8 p.m. Vegas at Carolina