Big Storm hits on the First Day of Hurricane Season

Awarding of Trophy

June 1^st is the official start of hurricane season and the Carolina Hurricanes won game seven to extend their season. 

Rod Brind’Amour was the do-everything captain for the Carolina Hurricanes all season. It was most fitting that his goal put them into the Stanley Cup finals.  

Brind’Amour’s third-period goal snapped a tie and sent the Hurricanes into the championship round Thursday night with a 4-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals

Commodore takes to Ice for Pre-Game Warm-Up

Carolina led 1-0 but fell behind late in the second period when Doug Janik and Jochen Hecht scored goals for the injury-ravaged Sabres.

 

After Doug Weight tied it at 2, Brind’Amour charged toward a loose rebound in front of the crease and flipped the puck by Ryan Miller.

       Sabers Miller made some great saves throughout the 7 games

“It’s a crazy game,” Brind’Amour said. “I’m just proud of our guys. we just wouldn’t give up.”

 

Mike Commodore gave Carolina its early lead, and Justin Williams sealed the victory with a goal in the final minute.

            Only Moments before Williams scores the Canes 4th goal

What a game what a series, it was like one of the wildest rollercoaster rides I’ve ever been on.  It was great to see Capt Rod have a great game and lead his team on. 

Security was tight because of previous problems.  Raleigh PD patrolled parking lots on Bikes and Motorcycles.

 

Officers’ observer pre game Saber Fan’s rallying in Parking Lot

The combination of a fair amount of Saber fans relocating to this area over the past few years and the ease to acquire tickets brought many more Saber fans south to support their team.  I can’t say I’ll miss the Saber fans, it was a great series and I suspect the start of a great rivalry.  

 

 For the first time etiquette signs had to be posted to remind fans for both teams how to act and security got tighter and tighter as the series went on. 

Ron & Eric (blocked by child) talking in Press Box

All of these photographs are ones I took at the game.  The quality of some is not that great because they were taken from the nose bleed section.  Behind us is the press boxes and Eric Cole and Ron Francis watched the game from there.  In between the 2^nd and 3^rd period a young fan noticed Ron & Eric up there and tossed them her shirt to be signed.  What a great thing to witness a young fan getting two great hockey players autographs. 

Ron tosses Young Fan’s Sweater back after he and Eric sign it.

Sabers flag waving fan pre game… not much flag waving for him in the end