Excitement continues to build around the Carolina Hurricanes on the eve of Stanley Cup Final

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Preparations continued outside of Lenovo Center throughout Monday, as excitement and anticipation build for the Carolina Hurricanes’ first Stanley Cup Final appearance in two decades.

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“Oh my gosh, just over the moon,” said Kim Mencer.

The Hurricanes are set to welcome the Vegas Golden Knights to Raleigh for Game One of the Stanley Cup Final Tuesday night.

“This is our first since we moved to Raleigh, this is our first Stanley Cup Final. We are season ticket members, just freaking Loonie Tunes at our house,” said Mencer.

Mencer was lucky enough to score tickets for games one and two.

“Half our family is going to be here tomorrow, the other half on Thursday, and our son came from out of state from Utah, our daughter came from Virginia,” Mencer said.

Tickets have been difficult and expensive to come by, with the resale market exploding in price points, with most tickets starting at around $1,000 in the upper level.

“Yeah, it’s getting up there, even as a season ticket holder, but we kinda knew it ahead of time,” said Jeff Phillips.

Phillips went to Game One of the Stanley Cup Final in 2006 and said he likely spent around $90 a ticket.

“I think everyone was shocked in ’06, it was kinda the first time that happened, and we’ve been so close lately that it feels like it’s our time, this is going to be it,” Phillips said. “And I think everything going on out here in front of the building, and the excitement around the town and really this whole state, we’re ready.”

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On the eve of the Final, Caniacs flooded the team store at Lenovo Center, getting some last-second merchandise ahead of Game One.

“Nervous, excited, all of the above, yeah. It’s been 20 years, it’s a long time coming, a lot of heartbreak in the last couple of years, so incredibly proud and excited for the guys and excited to support,” said Tyler Helikson.

Lenovo Center parking lots open at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. ahead of an 8 p.m. puck drop.

The NHL announced Monday afternoon that GRAMMY Award-winning country duo Brothers Osborne will perform outside of the Lenovo Center at 5:30 p.m. for a free public concert ahead of the game.

The Hurricanes come into their first Stanley County Final in two decades riding momentum from a nearly perfect run to the Final, dropping just a single game through the first three rounds of the postseason.

The Golden Knights, meanwhile, are fresh off a sweep of the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche.

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