Carolina Caps Washington with 4-1 Win in Spectacular Stadium Series Game

RALEIGH, NC – The NHL outdoor games have become a regular high point of the season with virtually every club clamoring for an opportunity to host one of them. With 37 of these games held since New Year’ Day 2008, there has been some level of concern that too many of these may oversaturate and dilute the value.

The verdict after the Stadium Series event in Raleigh, NC? Give us more!

Becoming the 28th team to participate in this type of tentpole event, the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Washington Capitals 4-1 in which by most standards, was a relatively uneventful game and not one the impartial observer would remark at being a great game.

But for the capacity-crowd of 56,961 who jammed into 56-year old Carter-Finley Stadium, home of the North Carolina State Wolfpack football team, it really didn’t matter as much. The off-the-charts atmosphere which captivated the raucous, bi-partisan crowd was light years ahead in value of any outcome one could experience.

It started earlier in the day with the game-day ritual enjoyed by thousands of Caniacs by way of the tailgate, long enjoyed and often reserved for the football experience and a chance to gather with friends leading up to kick-off.

But for decades now, Carolina hockey fans have made it their own tradition involving a sport they have grown to love since the franchise moved from the mall in Hartford, Connecticut. Once they changed their moniker and color scheme to reflect the Hurricanes, it became their own identity.

Still, there were many green and navy jerseys with the Hartford Whalers logo worn Saturday night.

The tailgating involved throwing the football around tight parking spaces and an aroma of cooked meats with smoke rising from a fully-packed, mish mash of parking lots surrounding the stadium and adjacent PNC Arena where the indoor hockey games are played.

Nearby, the Truly Hard Seltzer NHL PreGame Plaza offered game-ticketed fans the opportunity to further immerse themselves in the hockey environment with fan-interactive stations, entertainment from lovelytheband, merchandise giveaways and the-all important opportunity to have your picture taken with the Stanley Cup, far and away the longest wait times of any of the other engagements.

Just after 5 PM, the attention swung toward the team arrivals at the north side of the stadium, a unique event to attend as fans line the walkways dozens deep to get a look at the entry and cheer their favorite players. The other element drawing the crowd involves the themed attire players wear which tie the combination of venue and market into the design. It is one of the most highly anticipated parts of the event.

For this game, the Carolina Hurricanes were first to arrive, marching across the street from their indoor rink to the stadium sporting matching plaid golf attire. They wore identical black, white and red plaid knickers and newsboy hats, black sweaters and white golf shoes. Several of the players even carried golf bags and clubs.

The choice was inspired by the team’s favorite off-season hobby and selected among unknown other choices to be their arrival attire. Forward Stefan Noesen designed the ensembles.

The outfit paid tribute to late golfer Payne Stewart, who won the 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst with a long putt to edge Phil Mickelson by a stroke in the final round. Stewart was known for his on-course attire, particularly the pants reflected in the Carolina Hurricanes arrival attire.

The visiting Washington Capitals decided the college campus setting would be a good place to dress as though they were returning to school, to which Hurricanes fans might say their team took them to school with the game’s eventual result.

The Capitals arrived in a traditional yellow school bus, not the fully air-conditioned ride they might usually board. Players wore themed varsity letter jackets, custom-designed to reflect their game uniforms with blue jeans and matching toques. Many of them also carried footballs as they exited the bus.

The idea was inspired by veteran sniper T.J. Oshie to reflect the tie-in to the site for this year’s edition of the game. Jackets featured each player’s number and names of their family members on the right front with the Capitals three-star logo on the left front and the Stadium Series logo on the left arm.

Caps forward Lars Eller remarked how the team wanted to incorporate family as part of the jacket design, with the DC logo and the Weagle (aka Washington Capitals eagle), the front logo on this year’s event jersey on the back.

Not long after teams entered the stadium, anticipation was building and it was coming close to time for fans to wrap up the tailgating, navigate through the outrageous traffic jams in the area and look toward entering through the gates at 6 PM, two hours before puck drop.

Fans lined the concourses for a glimpse at event merchandise, the lines to which assembled several hundred feet just to get into one of the tents. The narrow walkways leading to seating areas were packed with spectators going in all different directions generating logjams to get anywhere in quick time. Lots of congestion and likely much difficulty in taking in the sensory overload.

It didn’t matter, though. Everyone inside was about to witness the NHL outdoor experience and they were just happy to be here.

I spoke with one young fan who told me he bought a ticket thirty minutes before he walked through the gate, captivated by the building anticipation of an outdoor hockey game in his hometown. He emptied nearly all that was remaining from his bank account until he got paid next week and bought a ticket for $400.

It was clear this was a big deal to the city.

Once inside the seating area, the visuals were spectacular. There was no shortage of things to lock eyes on, to pause, and take it in before something else catching one’s eye.

Upon entry, fans might first see the student section at the north end of the field level and the collection of chairs arranged for the Wolfpack college marching band to take for their in-game entertainment responsibilities. Cheerleaders accented the vibrant vibe this group would have throughout the night.

Also, at the north end in opposite corners, Carolina and Washington players juggled soccer balls as part of their pre-game, something only normally seen just outside the respective locker rooms and not in view of fans.

In the Hurricanes’ corner was Ripken the Bat Dog, defending a goal as players shot rubber pucks at the black Labrador retriever who was adorned with a red sweater, blending in nicely with the home team’s threads.

Ripken would later make an appearance for the ceremonial puck drop to start the on-ice entertainment.

At the south end of the stadium, a stage for pre-game entertainment, elevated and out of the way. This allowed premium-ticketed fans to gain access to special areas and roam through them as they please,in some cases, retrieving pucks which caromed off the glass. This happened several times throughout the night.

Multi-platinum country music star Jake Owen entertained fans, working them into a frenzy from this area during both intermissions. The atmosphere was electric and continued a conscious effort by event organizers to constantly keep the foot on the peddle, keeping the action moving throughout the night with no downtime.

It worked well.

As pre-skate approached, spectators anxiously awaited the arrival of the teams to the live area of the field, just out from under the stands at the north end. With walkways laid out for both teams, Washington to the right and Carolina to the left as viewed from the south end, an audible roar developed when the first glimpse of the starting goal appeared.

Washington walked behind the entire length of the rink’s north end, making a left and wrapping around the corner to eventually gaining access up a few stops and onto the ice. Carolina soon followed and the energy inside the rink began to grow toward the level being enjoyed in the stands. It was all coming together nicely.

The music blared, providing a tempo for the 50,000+ heart rates to follow suit. The activity in the concourses and stands was buzzing and fans were in a tremendously jovial mood as they collected armloads of overpriced food, drink and merchandise ($45 for a knit toque, $95 for a screen-printed hoodie and $12 for a souvenir cup filled with coffee).

As the pre-skate came to a close and players sought refuge under their locker rooms below the north end, spectators began to complete final preparations before taking their rightful places in the seating area and standing room areas.

The game was about to begin.

Stadium lights began to flicker and turn intermittently to a deep, rich red color, the hue cascading down to the seating areas and ice surface. It was a spectacular scene.

Teams began to emerge down their respective runways as they did at pre-skate, but this time, the Hurricanes advanced first, walking the length of their runway, but instead of stepping onto the ice on the west side, they positioned themselves between the boards and a logo moniker in front of them, closer to and facing the crowd.

The Capitals followed along the runway, too, continuing to between the boards and their moniker logo before facing the crowd. It was time for the national anthem.

Performed by the Power Sound of the South with the color presented by the NC State Joint ROTC Color Guard, 60 skating veterans from the NFCU Veterans Showcase unfurled the United States flag during the singing of the national anthem. Sure to complete the best way to start a sporting event, the Bandit Flight Team, made up entirely of veterans, completed their first mission of performing a flyover at an outdoor hockey game.

It was almost game time.

Erik Cole, Mike Commodore and Chad Larose, three anchors of the 2006 Stanley Cup championship team, emerged to sound the storm siren, leading the events to finally getting to the puck drop.

A pre-taped, video of Ripken the Bat Dog arriving at the stadium carrying with him the game puck to begin the night’s events played. When he physically arrived on the ice with his handler, he received a thunderous applause before completing the ceremonial puck drop.

It was finally game time.

The host Hurricanes entered the game with a record of 36-10-8 for 80 points, first in the Metropolitan Division, 5 points ahead of 2nd place New Jersey and 7 points behind league-leading Boston. Carolina was certainly on a high and the added pressure of the outdoor game just added to the pressure of maintaining their dominant position among the NHL elite.

The visiting Capitals arrived in Raleigh with a record of 28-23-6, good for 62 points and in 5th place in the Metropolitan. Washington was one point behind the 2nd wild-card place held by the New York Islanders and struggling to remain relevant.

The absence of Alexander Ovechkin added to the Capitals challenges as he remains in Moscow, Russia after the passing of his father late this week.

Goaltenders Frederik Andersen, a veteran of several outdoor games defended the net for Carolina at the south end while 2022 Stanley Cup champion Darcy Kuemper defended the north end, another regular season game in his maiden campaign with the Capitals.

At the immediate drop of the puck, the collective roar of the crowd was deafening. It’s a special moment that I had only previously heard from inside the press box. I won’t make that mistake again.

While that rise in crown noise pitch was special as the play began, a similar sound was heard when Carolina struck first taking the early lead.

Just 2:12 into the game, Martin Necas held the puck in at the high slot before dishing it off to Teuvo Teravainen in the far circle. His quick pass to a streaking Jesperi Kotkaniemi enabled the Finnish forward to tap the puck past Kuemper to take the early lead. It was Kotkaniemi’s 10th of the season.

The eruption from the crowd was deafening and the pounding celebratory music added to the scene. The Hurricanes started the night just as they wanted.

But that momentum was somewhat tempered when the game’s first goal scorer was whistled for hooking Dmitry Orlov nine-two seconds later.

Washington could not penetrate the Carolina defense as Andersen made several key saves during the penalty kill.

Both teams traded chances, but neither could light the lamp.

With just under ten minutes to play and Carolina swarming the Washington bet, Kuemper made a save, but could not find the puck to smother it. It was underneath him and then dislodged from under his right pad, leaving the Hurricanes futile all while missing multiple swats to propel it into the net.

Just after this flurry, Carolina Brady Skjei was called for tripping Washington’s Tom Wilson, giving the Capitals an opportunity to enter the scoring column.

Andersen made several stops for Carolina and Washington ended the uneventful remainder of the period down in shots 10-7 and trailing 1-0 after one period.

Carolina clearly held the edge in play and Washington with missed chances on two, man- advantages was dealing from a point of deficit.

The second period provided promise for the Capitals, but they would have to be more disciplined to do so. The game did not continue that way after intermission.

Just 1:33 into the middle frame, Washington’s Niklas Backstrom was called for tripping Carolina’s Sebastian Aho. While the Hurricanes had several excellent chances, they couldn’t solve Kuemper.

It wouldn’t take long to finally put another one past the Washington goaltender.

That’s when at 5:47 into the period and with Carolina applying intense pressure from an aggressive forecheck, Jordan Martinook sent a long drive from the left point which Kuemper handled, but the rebound came out to Jalen Chatfield. He pounded a drive toward the Washington goal which Kuemper also handled, but the puck bounced up in the air.

That’s where a waiting Paul Stastny swatted at a shot which glanced off of Kuemper, just up and over his right pad, giving the Hurricanes a 2-0 lead. It was Stastny’s 7th of the season.

And the momentum was building with more to quickly come after Washington’s lack of discipline sent one of their top players to the penalty box.

At 7:16 of the period, Evgeny Kuzentsov was called for high-sticking, send the Hurricanes on their third power play of the night.

It didn’t take long to make it worth their while.

After a shot from Necas went wide and caromed around the boards, Kotkaniemi collected it and slid a pass to the right point where Brent Burns was ready. He found Necas again who one-timed the pass off of the heel of Kuemper’s stick and into the net for a commanding 3-0 lead. It was Necas’ 22nd of the season.

The Hurricanes converted on their third power play of the game and the home team wasn’t done scoring.

Washington’s Nick Jensen carried the puck just across the red line when he was struck with a punishing body check from Kotkaniemi. The puck squirted toward Andersen just outside the Carolina crease.

He looked up ice and found Teravainen all alone in the neutral zone. After accepting the pass, he skated over the line on a two-on-one rush and dished it off to Necas. After drawing Kuemper out of the goal, Necas slid it back across to Teravainen to deposited it into the open net for a 4-0 lead.

Pandemonium among the home crowd was intense.

The frustration for Washington was building. It sent Anthony Mantha into search-and-destroy mode and he found a target along the side boards near the Washington bench in Carolina’s Jordan Martinook.

First with a potent cross-check, but then with knuckles, Mantha delivered a pugilistic cocktail to Martinook. Both players began throwing hands in a spirited tilt, likely designed by Mantha to inspire the men from the nation’s capital.

Both were sent off for fighting at 6:24 remaining in the second period with Mantha getting the extra penalty, a minor, for the initial cross check.

Washington could muster up no other offensive attack and the period ended with Carolina adding to their shot total, now 22-15, 12-8 for the second period and the all-important 4-0 lead with one period remaining.

As Washington sought to get back into the game before time ran out, both teams traded chances as they began the third period, but neither could make it count on the scoreboard.

It wasn’t until 9:28 was left to play when Washington’s Tom Wilson, back in action for the first time since late January, snuck one past Andersen on the short side.

After being defended and steered into the corner as he carried the puck into the Carolina zone, Wilson sent a turnaround shot from the corner which caught Andersen off guard, lighting the lamp on the Washington side of the ledger for the first time.

It was all for naught, though as Washington was never really in the game from the start.

As the game ended, both teams shook hands after their spirited affair. This gesture is special in that it is only conducted after the final game of when a playoff series has concluded or one of the outdoor events.

In carrying on with team tradition and in linking the entrance attire theme with it, Hurricanes players conducted their storm surge, but with a golf theme, dropping a glove or two, turning their hockey stick into a golf club and swinging to strike the glove as it were a golf ball.

As the event closed, while the 4-1 score had meaning in the standings, the takeaway was that the event was a spectacular the experience for those who attended. It’s difficult to encapsulate just how enjoyable these events are from the television or in reading about it.

Make no mistake, though these outdoor games are special.

Even after 37 of these outdoor games over the course of 15 years, there seems to be an insatiable appetite to keep these going, even though there is some concern about oversaturating the marketplace.

I have been fortunate to attend seven of these across all three brands of the event during a seven-year period. I can tell you without question that each one is special, memorable, enjoyable. I can’t wait to attend the next one. I hope you get the opportunity to attend one, and if you do, make sure you set and stay outside to enjoy it all from start to finish.

Dennis Morrell has enjoyed many years of experience in the great game as a hockey writer, photographer, goalie coach, player and currently active USA Hockey-certified referee with over 1,600 games in his striped jersey. His passion for the game began in the early 70s with his first glance at skaters in Clayton’s Shaw Park. He can be reached at dennis.morrell@prohockeynews.com and you can follow him on Twitter at DMMORRELL.