Well my dear I do think the Hurricanes will be the next Stanly Cup champs. Are you following the playoffs? Cheers, Larry

OMG, Larry, AM I EVER!!!!! Been to a couple of games, and watched all the others on my hi-def 55" Sony Wega. This last series was really something!

Hockey has become one of my very favorite sports, and it would be so cool to see the Stanley Cup residing on Tobacco Road, along with all the college basketball and NASCAR trophies!

Are you watching the NHL playoffs? How are you doing? We're doing great, enjoying a beautiful Spring in North Carolina.

So good to hear from you!!! Go Canes!!!

Hi Bonnie: I will be watching the finals. I don't get that hockey channel but I think (assume) the finals will be on a major network and when the Canes win (I think) I'll be thinking of you.
Otherwise all is well. The weather here is pretty nice now though we have had lots of rain and the grass is as high as as high as a greyhound. LOL! Take care. Larry

Well Bonnie are you OK now after game 1? Incredible game indeed. I don't know how Edmonton will bounce back after this. It may be over in 4.

I'm a disgruntled Buffalo Sabres fan, and can't believe the good fortune of the Hurricanes to have played Buffalo minus 5 key injured players and now Edmonton's goalie goes out for the series in the first game. I know, the Hurricanes are a good team, but you have to admit that they've had some great luck with injuries to their opponents. I doubt that Edmonton can rebound with an unproven back up goalie. I'm curious Bonnie, I heard that there were still tickets left for game one on game day, is that true?

Kathy: No offense but don't cry about luck. I'm a Cubs fan. Its become a syndrome. . Also and its a stretch but weirder things have happened. Look at the ALCS in 2004.

KathyK, maybe you can suggest they put off the playoffs next time until all the players are healthy.

(Want some cheese with that whine? )

The only tickets that were left were a few standing-room-only tix at $280 per.

Hey Diana and Larry ... Aren't we happy!!! Just saw this thread. You're right, Diana. All the tickets were sold within a couple of hours the first day (I tried!!!) except for a few SRO's.

KathyK, I haven't responded to your last few comments to me regarding the hockey games because your tone is not in the spirit that I usually discuss sports. I will just say that, as far as any injuries are concerned, a team is more than just a few stars. If the Buffalo organization did not spend the money to give the Sabres the depth that the Carolina Hurricanes have, then that was their choice, and too bad for you fans, but don't diminish Carolina's accomplishments by complaining about Buffalo's (or Edmonton's) injuries. Carolina went through a horrible stretch this season when Erik Cole's neck was broken, and at the same time we had a slew of other injuries, but we played through it, won some, lost some, but the players never used it as an excuse when they lost. The owner acquired Doug Weight and Mark Recchi, and we have TWO outstanding goalies in Ward and Gerber. That we are probably the best team in hockey right now is not an accident ... and I am totally proud of our team! They are getting great support from the fans; the players love their fans here and love that they play in the loudest house in the NHL!

GO 'CANES!!!!

I totally agree that I am whining. But I think I have a good point. When a team plays with 6 defensemen (as most do) who would expect that 4 of them would be injured for a conference finals? Not to mention that our top offensive player was injured. It was not a matter of depth or spending money, as our reserves from Rochester got us within 20 minutes of the Stanley Cup Finals. Where would the Canes have been with 4 of their 6 defensemen injured? The players you signed were there as top defensemen, not as protection against unforeseen injuries. We went into the playoffs with a great lineup, but just had bad luck injury wise. Jacketwatch: while I sympathize with you as far as being a Cubs fan, if you are from Chicago at least you have been able to enjoy the Championships of the Bears, Bulls and White Sox. We are still waiting for our first one here in Buffalo, after suffering through four Super Bowl losses (everyone knows about wide right) and a controversial goal to lose the 1999 Stanley Cup Series to Dallas. When Buffalo fans were able to buy game 7 tickets for the conference finals in Raleigh on game day, it told us alot about how important hockey is to Canes country. Not that I don't think that Bonniebroad isn't a great Canes fan, but in general it's a shame that the Stanley Cup is going to go to a team with limited support, after playing 2 series against injury depleted teams. And no Diana, I don't suggest that they hold the playoffs for teams to become healthy.

Well Diana and Bonnie. Go Canes. Kathy: I sufered with the Cubs decades B4 the Bulls had their run. No complaints about others better luck either.

Yay! Thanks Larry.

Definitely a party atmosphere here in town.

My husband's firm owns a skybox at the RBC, but the tickets didn't trickle down to the partners because the national partners all want them. (What a rip-off!)

I heard on the news this morning that they will have the game on a giant screen outside the RBC for $7. I thought that was a nice touch.

Go 'Canes!

Although I am rooting for the Hurricanes, what percent of North and South Carolinians really care about hockey? Probably the same percentage of people who care about the World Cup kickball tournement that starts in a few days.

As a Sabres fan, it is not becoming to whine or make excuses (I'll leave it at that). Injuries are part of any sport & you take the good luck w/the bad. The percentage of hockey fans in the Carolinas are minimal (although they are very good at being 'band-wagon fans') so I'm sure if you asked around today there would be a ton of hockey 'fans'. Most of whom couldn't even tell you a single name, of a single player, on the 'Canes squad (I reside in Charlotte). Some of us also do care about the 'kickball' tournament, particularly when the game is played at this high level. I was unable to get tickets or I would be going to Germany right now...I'm hoping the 'Canes pull it off, & I'll hand it to the folks in Raleigh, that has to be one of the most difficult places to play in the NHL. Games 1 & 2 are on OLN, then the remainder go to NBC (?), methinks.

Diana ... I read on one site last night that parking and admission are free at RBC, for the away games??? They must have gotten it wrong ... whether it's free or $7, that's neat, and will be a lot of fun for people. I'd go, if I didn't have my big TV ...

KathyK, many of us in North Carolina LOVE our hockey ... the fan base grows as we speak. But there's a lot more going on here than hockey, and I'm proud of all that, too! (Think college sports, especially basketball, NASCAR, pro football, etc.)

Larry, thanks for your support, guy!!!

G0 HURRICANES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bonnie & Larry - I'm from Michigan and a huge Red Wings fan. Talk about an embarrassing loss for them! They were the highest scoring team all season and were wiped out in the first round of the playoffs. How does THAT happen??? Anyhow, now I'm rooting for the Hurricanes, so I hope your team wins.

Heidi

"The percentage of hockey fans in the Carolinas are minimal (although they are very good at being 'band-wagon fans')"

SanParis, you're a transplanted Yankee anyway, so what do you know? Sheesh...
People are such sore losers.

Go Canes!

Do the Hurricane fans throw tobacco leafs onto the ice when the 'canes score a goal?

The Wings were a huge disappointment but not nearly as much as the Blackhawks. Their management is stuck in a time warp. Can you believe in this day and age we still don't get home games televised!! This practice goes back to the 60's.
Also it seems Diana is a huge Canes fan so tread lightly there.
I do hope the games come to NBC as I don't get OLN. Interestingly if the Canes prevail the last two Cup champs will have been from warm weather states. Is Atlanta next? . Nothing like a good sports topic to pick up the pace, right? . Go CANES!!

Not usually, George. It's normally grits or moon pies.

Hush puppies? Shrimp? I love Carolina.