- Stanley Cup Finals Game 5 at Damon's Grill
- Stanley Cup Finals Game 6 Viewing Party at RBC Center
- Airport After Game 6
- Stanley Cup Finals Game 7 Morning Skate
- Stanley Cup Finals Game 7 - STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!
- Stanley Cup Parade and Celebration
- Tilly & the Wall at Cat's Cradle
When tickets went on sale for the finals, I bought one for Game 7, just in case. As the series unfolded, it looked like I would be getting my money back. But things slowly changed...
Wednesday, June 14 - Game 5 - Carolina leads series 3-1
No, we didn't have tickets, but we drove to Raleigh anyway. Unfortunately, Alberto flooded part of the city, and the lawn party outside the arena was cancelled.
Chris wanted the Canes to close out the series so he could finally get rid of the playoff beard.
We got to Damon's at 5:45 and put our names on the list for a table. At 8:00 when the game started, we realized that we were not going to get a table until after the game.
We crashed in the aisle.
The dessert was good, but the end of the game... not so much. It was a thriller, but it was a long drive back to Charlotte after Edmonton won 4-3 in overtime on a shorthanded goal following a turnover by the Canes in their own end.
Saturday, June 17 - Game 6 - Carolina leads series 3-2
The game was in Edmonton, but I was on my way back to Raleigh again. Why?
Tailgating, of course.
It was perfect weather for tabletop hockey.
The RBC Center was open for everyone to watch the game on the jumbotron.
What are you doing here Mike? You're supposed to be in Edmonton.
And shouldn't you be there too, Stormy?
Apparently they weren't the only ones that didn't show up in Edmonton, because the Oilers completely ripped Carolina apart. It was a bittersweet moment for me; I was very upset about the loss, but at the same time knew that Monday night would be a dream for me. I would be seeing the Stanley Cup hoisted in person by someone, although it may not be my Canes. I never imagined I would get to experience something like that.
Well, at least we still have the Prince of Wales trophy.
Sunday, June 18 - RDU Airport
Sunday afternoon we headed out to the airport as the team flew in from Alberta.
Yes, the team lost (okay, got destroyed) the night before, but they needed the support more than ever as they came back to town on the eve of the biggest game in franchise history.
It's hot.
Could it be them?
There they are.
Mike Commodore.
The team was excited to see the large fan turnout.
Da coach.
Monday, June 19 - Morning Skate
My stay in Raleigh continued, and my day started at the RBC Center for the morning skate.
The media was there.
The captain was focused and itching to play.
Everyone was in good spirits, having put the last two games out of their minds.
It was awesomefied to see Erik Cole back on the ice.
I even hung around to see the Oilers warm up.
Monday, June 19 - Game 7 - Series tied 3-3
Well, this was it. A day that I will never forget for the rest of my life.
Darth needed one, but I wasn't selling mine for any amount of money.
TSN made the trip to Raleigh. Too bad ESPN doesn't give a damn. I guess they were covering a poker tournament or something.
NBC likes hockey.
I hope they're ready....
I'm ready.
Erik Cole is ready.
Mike Commodore is ready.
This is what we want.
The crowd took a page out of Edmonton's book and sang both national anthems loudly.
And so it begins.
The crowd was absolutely INSANE. I have never heard anything that loud at any sporting event, and it was the first time I have ever seen a hockey game where the entire crowd remained standing the entire game.
GOAL! Frankie Kaberle makes it 2-0 with a slap shot from the left point.
Getting closer...
Just four minutes to go.
Absolute insanity.
Words cannot express what is happening in this picture, but to quote Chuck Kaiton: "STAAL GETS IT UP THE MIDDLE TO WILLIAMS HE'S WALKING IN ON AN OPEN NET AND HE WON THE STANLEY CUP!!!!!!"
Cuba Gooding Jr. is happy.
We're all happy.
The Oilers want to have a brawl but the Canes will have nothing to do with it.
"THE LONG SLAPSHOT OVVVEERR THE CROOOOSSSSBAR AND THE HURRICANES HAVE WON THE STANLEY CUP!!!!!!"
Let the celebration begin!
The handshakes. It was a great series, and a great effort by the Edmonton Oilers.
The rookie gets the Conn Smythe.
And there it is. The ****ing Stanley Cup.
They've waited their whole lives for it, and Rod Brind'Amour and Glen Wesley finally get to raise the Cup over their heads.
It's the first major league sports championship for the Carolinas.
Unbelievable.
It's going to be a summer to remember for everyone in this picture.
The fans were tremendous, and the team thanked them for that.
And here's the proof that I was there.
The party was going strong outside the arena.
A couple of hours after the game ended, I finally made it to my car. I drove downtown in a big line of cars honking horns and raising hell. Too bad I forgot to turn the flash off on the camera. Glenwood Avenue was shut down and flooded with people, and it was a night of celebration in Raleigh. Only one car was flipped, I believe.
Tuesday, June 20 - Victory Parade and Celebration
After driving all over town in the morning trying to find a newspaper (they were sold out everywhere), I went down to the RBC Center and waited in the massive line to get a t-shirt.
In the afternoon, the masses came out to celebrate.
Construction had downtown in a mess, so it was determined that the RBC Center/Carter Finley Stadium area was the only place large enough to hold all of the people for a parade.
That's right Canada. The Cup is on Tobacco Road.
Nothing like a Stanley Cup parade in 95 degree weather.
It was weird to see everyone with their playoff beards shaved off.
Mr. Cup-clinching empty netter himself.
Eric Staal had one of the greatest years in franchise history.
Ray Whitney was elated.
It seems as though the Cup has been spotted.
The crowd waits patiently.
No Cup yet, but there's Cam Ward, and he's got the Conn Smythe with him.
Doug Weight may have separated his shoulder, but he finally has his Stanley Cup.
Brind'Amour was sporting his NC State hat.
The old man's finally got his name on the Cup!
We're not done partying yet.
It's been a long time coming.
Ray Whitney had the 70's porn storn look going.
Commodore was hanging onto the beard and fro for another day.
How good it feels.
The Prince of Wales arrives...
And then the Stanley Cup.
In just his first full year with the team, Coach Laviolette won it all.
Their names will be engraved on the Cup forever.
Thank you Carolina Hurricanes.
What a year.
Tuesday, June 20 - Tilly & the Wall at Cat's Cradle
As if the 3 hour drive home and the early wake up call for jury duty the next day were not enough, I headed out after the festivities to Cat's Cradle in Chapel Hill to see Tilly & the Wall play.
The show was an unintentional add-on to my Stanley Cup celebrations.
Actually, I'm sure most of the people there were just a bunch of hipsters who hated sports, but hey, I'll just pretend everyone was there to celebrate the championship.
Great show, lots of fun, go see them.
What a wild week (and year) it has been. When I first got into hockey I can't say I ever would have in a million years dreamed that the Stanley Cup would come to North Carolina, and there is certainly no way I would have thought that I would get to experience it in person. The memories from this season will last a lifetime. Here's to the 06-07 season, and another great year for hockey down south!
To see all 708 of my photos from the 2005-2006 Carolina Hurricanes season, go HERE.
