Fans welcome Hurricanes home ahead of Game 5
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Carolina Hurricanes fans gathered Wednesday evening at Raleigh-Durham International Airport to welcome the team home ahead of Game 5 at the Lenovo Center.
Chopper 11 captured the team's plane landing as supporters crowded the airport's observation deck, many hoping for even a brief glimpse of the players. Among them was JD Loftis, who brought his two sons to watch the team arrive.
"We love the Hurricanes," Loftis said.
Loftis said the family has been glued to every moment of the Stanley Cup Final.
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"We've been watching every single one of the Stanley Cup Final games," Loftis said. "And just last night, we watched all of the first period, watched all of the first three goals. And my son here was going crazy. We love it."
Caniac's brother piloted plane carrying Hurricanes
Another fan, John Wolfe, came out to cheer not only for the Canes but also for his brother, who piloted the team's plane.
"I was at home, and he sent me the text of the, of just the flight plan, and I said, 'Is this what? Is this what it looks like? You know, is it you know, it looks pretty cool. And he confirmed, and I squealed in my house," Wolfe said.
Wolfe said seeing his brother fly the Hurricanes home was a moment he won't forget.
"There's nobody I trust as my pilot more than my brother," he said. "So, just really cool to see him fly our city's team here. And yeah, it's just one, an unbelievable moment, proud brother moment."
Fans lined the street near the airport waving flags, chanting, and celebrating the team's return as the Hurricanes continue their playoff run.
"We're just super excited to be a part of this," said fan Amy Levering. "They worked so hard and so long to get to this place. And we just want to know them, to know that they have our full support."
"I just want them to know that we're here behind them and that we're all for them and we want them to hear us," another fan added.
The Hurricanes face Vegas in Game 5 on Thursday in Raleigh.
