RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The Carolina Hurricanes returned to Raleigh Saturday for their first home game in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and shut down the Washington Capitals 4-0.
Canes fans were thrilled to get a win at home and take the lead in the second round 2-1.
The fifth square on the road to the Stanley Cup is up outside the Lenovo Center, marking another Canes win, the team’s first second round game at home. Fans are glad to be back in the loudest house in the NHL.
“The energy was incredible, it’s better than anything else in the world,” said DC Tanas, a lifelong Canes fan.
Another longtime Canes fan described the environment: “You can’t hear, your ears will be ringing for two days, it’s so loud.”
The Canes came into Game 3 tied 1-1 with the Capitals. After Saturday’s win, fans say things are moving in the right direction.
“We [have to] keep the momentum going, we got the lead, we [have to] come ready to play Monday,” said one fan.
Plenty of young Canes fans were in the crowd Saturday, eager to recount their favorite parts of the game.
“That Freddie got a shutout,” said Canes fan Walker.
His friend Ethan said: ” I thought it was great because Roslovic, he hasn’t done that much in the playoffs and now he’s done it,” referring to Roslovic scoring one of the Canes’ four goals.
The win has many fans with high hopes for the rest of the playoffs.
“We get Monday, and I think we got the series,” said fan Trevor Tanas.
If the Canes do go all the way, Walker says his reaction will be “probably happy tears.”
The Hurricanes have one more game at home on Monday before heading to Washington, D.C. for Game 5 on Thursday.