Game number two of Canes’ College Night brought energy as right wing Patrick Dwyer scored his first two goals for the Carolina Hurricanes, both of them coming shorthanded. ‘Let’s go Canes’ echoed throughout RBC Center with 13 minutes left of the game against the Philadelphia Flyers, but they eventually took down Carolina, 5-3.
With four minutes left, Flyers forward Matt Read fired a one-timer past goalie Cam Ward, which iced the contest.
The Hurricanes are finding their identity again and according to head coach Paul Maurice, actions speak louder than statistics.
“This is game 18 for us,” Maurice said. “Thirteen of those games have been against playoff teams last year. We played the top six teams in the NHL as of tonight eight times and we’ve played five teams below us that didn’t make the playoffs, this season. I think we’re a better hockey team than our record says.”
Center Jeff Skinner played in game 100 as a Carolina Hurricane and was honored with bobble-heads for the first 2,000 people; but not until after the game due to the shipment truck not arriving until the second period.
There are only four more times that students can embrace the “College Night” series. The first 100 students to arrive at the arena with a valid College Night ticket had the opportunity to receive a free Canes’ College Night shirt.
Two Wake Tech students had this opportunity to receive the free shirt through the College Night promotion. As college students, it’s understandable that saving money is a priority. With lower level tickets, face valued as high as $110 for a regular season game, students can take advantage and buy their tickets for $30.
“I decided to buy the 100-level tickets over the 300-level tickets because it’s nice to splurge every once in a while after working seven days a week,” Luke Yarasheski , of Wake Tech, said.
Not only N.C . State students have access to this advantage, schools such as Wake Tech and the University of North Carolina can use this opportunity to buy tickets with a valid “.edu” address.
“Depending on my financial situations, if it’s practical, or whether it’s not it’s a responsible use of money, determines if I go to the games,” Ryan Knauss said.
Even though the ‘Canes were not able to execute a win, College Night voucher holders held advantages in the concession stands with $2 sodas and half-price parking, and to experience the difference in environment between State basketball and Carolina Hurricane hockey in the RBC Center.
“It was nice to score but it would have been nice to get a ‘W’, too,” Dwyer said. “We battled back and got back in it and that’s what we have to do, look at the positives. We’re a hard working team, we need to out-work other teams and take the puck to the net.”
The next College Night series game will be Dec. 1 against the New York Rangers on a Thursday. The promotion will be available online to buy tickets half-off, up until 5:30 p.m . game-day at CarolinaHurricanes.com . “Like” the Canes’ College Night Facebook page to see more information.
