Hurricanes fans get high-tech experience with on-ice projection at watch party inside Lenovo Center

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Carolina Hurricanes fans packed the Lenovo Center on Tuesday night for the Game 4 watch party, where an on-ice projection system gave the crowd a closer look at the action. It added to the Caniacs excitement.

"That was so cool. I was like is that where the players are," said fan Leah Iudice. Iudice said watching the Hurricanes on the jumbotron while seeing their movements projected onto the ice made the experience feel more immersive. "That's just awesome to follow them along and see where they are on the ice and be able to look up. And that was very cool," she said.

The technology comes from Durham-based company SMT, or Sports Media Technology, which uses tracking devices sewn into players' jerseys and placed inside the puck to create near real-time projections.

"It's great to work with a local partner," said director of event presentation Christine Williams for the Carolina Hurricanes. "Another thing that I think the fans have really latched on to and that's really cool about this particular technology."

Williams said the system gives fans the sense that the game is unfolding right in front of them.

"It provides that feel to that the players could be here. The game could actually be taking place here, but it's not. So it's a very interesting, unique technology," she said. The enhanced watch party experience comes as the Canes return to Raleigh for a pivotal game 5 with the hopes of advancing their lead in the best-of-seven series. Fans said the energy has only intensified after Tuesday's win.

"And being here now and being in the city, it's exciting!" one fan said. "Just look at the coach's expression from Vegas and that tells you the whole story," fan Andrew Ragland said. "That's just something that just comes back and just gives the Canes that experience that we're known for."

Ragland said he believes the team is close to finishing the job. "It's gotten to this point. And as long as we just stick to the game plan, then we're going to go and win it all," he said. Fans gathered outside the arena Wednesday evening as workers added another square to the Stanley Cup progress display atop the building. Longtime fans said the excitement is drawing in newcomers as the team chases its first championship in 20 years.

"No matter who you are, it's if you like fast competition and fun and just you know, seeing a group of guys that are that are that are pulling the same rope, you know, and then check it out," one fan said. Ragland said the fan base's belief has been building for years.

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"We've been in the playoffs for so many years and they just got to respect the hustle. So I'll say all aboard the train or on the bus in this case," he said. Game 5 is set for Thursday in Raleigh at the Lenovo Center.

The puck drops at 8:00 p.m. on game nights and you can watch live on ABC11.