The Montreal Canadiens were on the verge of taking a 3-1 series lead against the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the 2002 playoffs. The Canadiens led 3-0 going into the final period at Molson Centre and appeared in complete control.

However, just as the Canes have all this season and a lot of the 2002 season, they found a way to come back.

After goals by former Canes Sean Hill and Bates Battaglia, Erik Cole tied the game late in the third. Shortly into overtime, Niclas Wallin fired a wrist shot that passed former Montreal goalie Jose Theodore, giving the Canes a 4-3 victory-more importantly, tying the series at 2-2.

Carolina went on to win the final two games and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals against Toronto. At that moment, there were more Canes fans than T.A. McLendon had fumbles and injuries in his final two years.

And that says a lot.

Car flags were everywhere, every single radio DJ loved them and everyone had been a Carolina fan since they moved to Greensboro for the 1997-98 season. Some claimed to have been there since the Hartford Whalers started in 1972.

A 4-2 series victory against the Maple Leafs put the city into a frenzy. And after a Ron Francis overtime goal in the Stanley Cup opener against the Detroit Red Wings, Raleigh was geared up for the Stanley Cup trophy.

But, the Red Wings’ talent was overwhelming. Detroit went on to win four straight games, and its dynasty was intact.

I couldn’t help to think about how next season would be. I imagined the start of the season, while less vital than the Stanley Cup Finals, would entail excitement that could turn Raleigh into an actual hockey town.

Even though the Canes set a single-season record for attendance the next season, the flags, the notoriety and many of the so-called fans disappeared.

They finished the season with the worst record in the NHL, and the following season wasn’t much better as they missed the playoffs again. To many, the Canes were an afterthought.

I continued to watch all the games that I could catch. I went to games when I could afford them, and I watched as Ron Francis’ career slowly dwindled.

During the majority of the games I went to in those two seasons, I could find a whole row for my buddies and I in the lower level.

This season was much of the same. Understandably, the lockout and the high ticket prices are partially to blame for many fans avoiding games, but just like before, I could move down to the lower level and find seats without a problem.

Ironically, just like the 2002 season, after a series-opening playoff win, Raleigh was once again in love with hockey. After getting a chance to go to an opening-round game against Montreal, thanks to a Storm Squad friend, I haven’t seen the ice since.

I’d have a better chance at winning the lottery than being able to afford a ticket without sacrificing my fall tuition money.

While I enjoy the comfort of my town house and my friends during the Stanley Cup Finals, when the Edmonton series is over, it’s important that next season when I enter the RBC Center for a hockey game, I can’t float down to the lower level and find a seat.

Raleigh needs to continue to support hockey. Two Stanley Cup appearances in four seasons isn’t something that happens to any team.

But having fans that are there when the team wins but not when they lose is something that happens to most cities. But not Raleigh, not this time around I hope.