The Hurricanes have an annual tradition of hitting the road for up to 2 weeks shortly after the NHL season begins because of the North Carolina State Fair. For those from out of town, the parking for the PNC Arena where the Hurricanes play, the state fairgrounds and also Carter-Finley Stadium where North Carolina State plays football all share the same parking. Awhile back the Hurricanes thought it would be cool to play a home game during state fair figuring it would make for great walk up ticket sales. It was an utter disaster. Fans could not get to the game or find enough parking because of the fair and were late to the game. The team basically vowed never to do that again and have not played a home game during the 10-day North Carolina State Fair since. In typical seasons, the Hurricanes quickly squeeze in 1-2 home games on opening weekend before departing, but with the World Cup of Hockey backing the NHL start up 1 week this season, the Canes immediately hit the road for 6 games before returning to Raleigh to play their first home game on October 28.
But I digress…
The subject of this weekly post is to share great reads on the Carolina Hurricanes from around the internet. After a busy week personally and in preparing for the season opening on Thursday, this week’s Canes Chronicle is a little bit lighter but should be back up to regular speed next week.
As you see great Hurricanes hockey articles during the week, please point them in our direction either on Twitter or with a quick email.
Carolina Hurricanes youth movement
Jeff Skinner
Andrew Hirsh from Today’s Slapshot has high hopes or Jeff Skinner’s 2016-17 season.
The season opener
In case you missed it, I analyzed the season opener in some detail here at Canes and Coffee.
Go Canes!
My concerns about this team, and more importantly the Gm/ Coach/ AND Goalies! —
1. History… Canes goalies ie. Ward (most of gms played for years), statistics show HE has been BELOW average… last year he was slightly better than Lack, BUT worse than 28 starting goalies of the 29 other teams!
2. GM Francis went out of his way (ignored all goalie free agents, and/ or possible trades) to Re-SIGN Ward, anyway ???
3. Coach Peters started Ward most of last year, and this year’s 1st game. Is Ward better than Lack (on paper)…yes, probably…but we don’t know if Peters had any input in acquiring other keepers, but he could control who started/ finished the 1st game.
4. Stats tell us that neither goalie would be found among CUP-competitive teams… Stats also tell us that (even in the 3rd period collapse) the team dominated Win. in team-stats (non-goalie).
One Major Problem…When will RF correct our goalie situation?
When will Coach Peters try changing/ swapping-out-the-BAD-goalie?
Fact… led 4-1 starting 3rd period, LOSE 5-4…WTF?