2008 Stanley Cup champions pay a visit to the 2006 Stanley Cup champions.

An intense bout with clogged sinuses did not stop Chris for a visit 60 minutes east to the RBC Center. Many many drugs and a quick nap after work resulted in a drive over to Raleigh for the 2nd home game for the 2-0-0 Carolina Hurricanes (your 2006 Stanley Cup Championship team). The 1-1-0 Detroit Red Wings (your 2008 Stanley Cup champions) took the ice versus our local heroes. It was also the inaugural night for the new "alternate sweaters" for the 'Canes. Yes, hockey players wear sweaters, not jerseys. The marketing department certainly did their homework.

Black.

The usual suspects are:

Home red:





Away white:









And now, the alternate black:








Way cool. Instead of the usual logo with the puck as the eye of the hurricane storm comprised of two C's, the shoulder logo (Chris's favorite) takes prominence on the chest: a hurricane flag on a hockey stick over a triangle. Get it? Triangle? Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill? Triangle?

The home team lost 3-1, the third goal being an empty net variety with seconds remaining. Great seats, center ice behind the penalty boxes. Center ice as in, Chris's seat was directly on the red line. Sure it was a pretty penny, but Gordon appearances at Hurricanes games do not occur nearly as often as we'd prefer.

Figured the Monday Night Football game with the Browns and the Giants would be a Cleveland disaster, so the hockey game took precedence. Who knew the Brownies would end up victorious in the end? Chris was home for the 4th quarter of the football game, but the sinuses began their newest vicious onslaught and bedtime occurred early.

Regardless of a snot-filled buckethead, it was an enjoyable evening.