Hurricanes are the Triangle's sports team

May 17—RALEIGH

When we think of sports in the Triangle or along Tobacco Road, our minds stop on college athletics, particularly North Carolina, Duke and N.C. State. We reminisce on the likes of Dean Smith, Mike Krzyzewski and Jim Valvano, while picking our allegiances and disliking a particular shade of blue or Wolfpack red.

We idolize former players and argue why our school as a whole and in an individual sport is better than the others.

Whether it be on the gridiron in the fall or the hardwood as the calendar turns to another year, we are divided.

But that doesn't have to be the case and nor should it be.

There's another sports team, this one of the professional variety, that deserves the support from each collegiate fanbase in the area: the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes.

While they may be a Bunch of Jerks, the Hurricanes are Raleigh's lone professional, "Big Four" sports team and an organization that has been nothing but successful since Rod Brind'Amour took over as head coach in 2019.

During the 2021-2022 campaign, they set the franchise record for both wins in a season (54) and points in a season with 116. They would follow up that performance with another dominant year in 2022-2023, recording 52 wins, en route to a franchise record 11 straight victories, and 113 points.

Over the last five seasons, Carolina has advanced to the second round of the NHL Playoffs four times, the only team to do so in that span. During that time, they also have won three consecutive divisional titles, including the one-off Central division during the 2020-2021 COVID season.

On Thursday, they will begin their quest for the Eastern Conference title, as they sit halfway from their ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup.

After a Metropolitan Division title in the regular season, the Hurricanes defeated the New York Islanders in six games and the New Jersey Devils in five games to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals against the Florida Panthers.

Home ice advantage awaits for Carolina throughout the remainder of the postseason, giving the Caniac fanbase every opportunity to make a difference. So far, they are 5-1 on their home ice during the playoffs, filling up the approximately 20,000 seats across from Carter-Finley Stadium.

Sure, they play in PNC Arena, the same home of N.C. State's men's basketball program, but the only other commonality the two share are their colors.

During their playoff run, the Hurricanes have welcomed Siren Sounders from each ACC school in the Triangle. Representing North Carolina was guard R.J. Davis, while N.C. State big man D.J. Burns appeared for the Wolfpack and head football coach Mike Elko made the trek from Durham to represent the Blue Devils.

Prominent members and even alumni of the Tobacco Road schools have taken a liking to the Canes and so should you.

If that's not enough to earn your fandom, it may help to address that although they share an arena with N.C. State, they once shared one with your favorite ACC school. When they made the move from Hartford, Connecticut to Raleigh, the Hurricanes had to play their home games for their first two seasons at the Greensboro Coliseum.

In the first year, the ACC Tournament was held at the same complex, where North Carolina won over rival Duke in the championship, forever connecting both programs to the Hurricanes.

Whether you have been a lifelong hockey fan or if you aren't even sure of the basic rules, the Carolina Hurricanes are the team for you. They're fun and full of creativity and energy, which is evident in their postgame celebrations.

But most of all, they're relatable. Some players, including the likes of Seth Jarvis and Sebastian Aho, are in their early 20's and resemble college students and their independence. On the other hand, veterans Jordan Staal and Brent Burns are seasoned performers on the ice and as parents.

And while they are separated by well over a decade in age, all four are performing at a high level and have been crucial parts of Carolina's playoff run.

The slow process of a rebuild is not always fun and that was once the case in Raleigh, as the Hurricanes missed the NHL playoffs for nine consecutive seasons from 2010 through 2018.

Over a decade removed from the start of the drought and Carolina now sits just eight wins from a Stanley Cup.

Nestled in Wake County, the Hurricanes, and even the Florida Panthers for that matter, have busted the myth that hockey is a northern or Canadian sport.

Regardless of the outcome between the two teams located in North Carolina and South Florida, one will represent the Eastern Conference on hockey's biggest stage.

That journey begins Thursday night and it's not too late to throw on Hurricane red over your team's colors and rally around head coach Rod Brind'Amour and the most exciting team in hockey.

No matter if you are a Tar Heel, Blue Devil or Wolfpack. the Carolina Hurricanes are your hockey team, Raleigh's hockey team, and North Carolina's hockey team.