A Seth Jarvis goal just 33 seconds into the opening period sent the crowd into a frenzy, but Montreal immediately responded, scoring four times over a 10:32 span, taking Game 1 on the road with a decisive 6-2 victory.
"That first 10 minutes is what it's killing them right now. They dug themselves a hole," said fan Zach Levy.
The nightmarish first period came seemingly out of nowhere for Carolina, which had won all eight games in the first two rounds. During that winning streak, Carolina had not allowed more than two goals in any game, surrendering a total of 10 goals. Carolina had allowed six goals or more in a game just four times all season before Thursday night.
"The whole game, Carolina has been able to control the zone and get shots off. They just got to, especially next game, they got to start better," Levy said.
Carolina will now set its sights on Saturday, as they look to avoid an 0-2 hole. Getting the "Loudest House in the NHL" involved would go a long way in helping them do just that.
Caniacs tailgate ahead of Eastern Conference Finals Game 1
"It is infectious. It's a wonderful thing, and it's getting stronger by the year," said Russel Reed, a season ticket holder for 21 years.
"The first time we came to a game, I was like, you're hooked down here. This house, when it's rocking, your ears hurt, they're so loud. They say you can't talk to each other on the ice. They can't hear each other. That's how intense these fans are," said Cheryl Zelek.
A notable contingent of Canadiens fans was in attendance, and while Bobbi Labeele is from Quebec, he made the trek from Canada to support his Hurricanes.
Caniacs fired up after long stretch without Hurricanes' hockey
"We arrived yesterday. We drove 15 hours, but we're here until the Saturday games," Labeele said.
He'll be back here for Game 2, before returning to Montreal for Game 4.
"I can tell you there's four of my friends going to come for the game on Saturday because I'm talking about the Canes and they want to see that," Labeele said.
Frank Youngblood has already signed up for season tickets next year.
"Just seeing the growth of the team under Brind'Amour and kind of as Russell spoke to kind of that grit and culture and, you know, the sustained level of success," Youngblood said.
Youngblood recalls attending games far before it was the hottest ticket in town.
"I came to Raleigh first for school at NC State and would come to the games back when with the student ID, you could get in for 10 bucks, sit in the cheap seats, have a nice date night," he said.
Attendance has surged since then, with the Hurricanes maintaining a sellout streak dating to 2023.
Before the game, Hurricanes General Manager Eric Tulsky was meeting and taking pictures with fans, many of whom were grateful for the unique experience that is hockey in North Carolina.
"Just the college culture that was already here with the NC State and Carolina and Duke and the tailgating atmosphere," said fan Nile Roberts. "We just love getting out here, having a good time, and being social, and enjoying North Carolina."
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