The Carolina Hurricanes ice hockey team returned to the PNC Arena on Raleigh, October 7.
With doors opening at 6 p.m and the puck drop at seven, fans were delighted to kick off this year’s return of hockey. Hurricane’s General Manager Ron Francis has high hopes for the team this year (having not won the Stanley Cup since 2006) saying “we have a lot of belief in our players and we think we’re capable of having a good year and doing some good things.”
Currently first in the Metropolitan Division after pre-season, the Carolina Hurricanes will hope to snag a game day win against the Minnesota Wild who stand fourth in Central Division after preseason.
Meghan Barnak, a senior at William Peace University studying psychology, describes the rush of a hockey game as “thrilling”. “Being in the stands with other fans really gets you pumped,” said Barnak.
Aaron Mull, an alumni of Peace who majored in Communications agrees with the sentiment of Barnak, adding that he believes “Canes games can be a great atmosphere. They have a loyal fan base who loves to see the team winning.”
Students and hockey fans can enjoy more than fifty food and beverage outlets in the PNC Arena this year with options ranging from one’s anticipated hot dogs and nachos to smoked barbeque sandwiches, fresh cheesesteaks, and warm cinnamon buns.
“The whole arena is just a great experience,” Mull says. Mull “enjoys the way they [PNC Arena] get the crowd involved with promotions and on ice activities.”
Hockey fans will be paying twenty dollars for parking this year with both card and cash being accepted.
However, William Peace University students can enjoy discounted hockey tickets with the Canes College Rush. Students can take their Peace Student ID to the PNC Box Office once doors open and purchase upper-level seats for fifteen dollars and lower level seats for just thirty-five.
Barnak has purchased tickets via College Rush multiple times during her four years in Raleigh saying, ”I think the College Rush is a pretty good idea for college students to get cheap tickets when they want something to do.”