It may be news to some, but there is another team that plays in the RBC Center when the Wolfpack has vacated the basketball court. Once a month, students can purchase $25 tickets in the lower level (usually upwards of $60) and $15 tickets in the upper level and see the Carolina Hurricanes take on National Hockey League opponents. Certain sections are set aside for college students.
Dustin Kilpatrick, the Hurricanes’ group sales representative, said the ‘Canes College Nights have increased since the 2006-2007 season, when the offer began.
“Last year we had six games and the year before that we had one game, so the program is growing,” Kilpatrick said. “We’ve sold out the pricing categories each of the previous two College Nights.”
The original schedule had the Hurricanes’ Feb. 17 match-up against the Boston Bruins marked off as a ‘Canes College night, but the game later became the night long-time Hurricanes’ defenseman Glen Wesley had his jersey retired. The game sold out before college students were able to snap up tickets.
“The seats that we had for the College Night were also inventory for other offers, so it sold out before the game went on sale for students,” Kilpatrick said. “We switched it to the Buffalo game.”
The schedule is set early before the season, so it’s impossible to tell which teams will become powerhouses and which games will become ones of consequence.
“It just worked out perfect that it was the Buffalo game,” Kilpatrick said.
The Buffalo Sabres happen to be standing in the way of the Hurricanes and their first playoff berth in the three seasons since they won the cup. Carolina is one point behind Buffalo on the standings, and the Sabres have a game in hand.
“The standings are tight, so every win is crucial,” Chad O’Connell, who said he goes to ‘Canes College Nights frequently, said.
Kilpatrick said the discounted games are a way for the team to acquire a new generation of hockey fans.
“Hopefully, we’ll get them out for a few games in college and they’ll get accustomed to the experience,” Kilpatrick said. “Maybe one day, they’ll be season ticket holders once they graduate.”
O’Connell, a sophomore in sports management, said he usually opts for the upper level seats.
“I usually get the upper seats because they’re cheaper,” O’Connell said. “I get a group of people together and we go and make a ton of noise.”
Daniel Winders, a senior in industrial engineering, said he is not the Hurricanes’ biggest fan but enjoys taking in a hockey game when the games are discounted.
“I’m not a huge fan, but I go to games when I can,” Winders said. “It’s actually my favorite sport to go watch, it’s just a lot of fun.”
Winders said he became hooked on hockey, even though it was a far cry from the traditional “southern” sports — NASCAR and ACC basketball.
“You don’t get very many chances to watch hockey in the south,” Winders said. “It’s just not there. It’s exciting to have the opportunity to go to a ‘Canes game and hang out your friends.”
