June 2009

When most people think of hockey, visions of cold climates and northeastern cities come to mind. Tailgating is not at the top of the list. Hockey fans in Raleigh, NC are doing their best to change that perception.

 

The Carolina Hurricanes were formerly the Hartford Whalers and moved to the warmer climate in 1997. There were those who doubted whether a professional sports franchise could make it in the college sports frenzied atmosphere of Tobacco Road. What they didn’t know was that a region long-divided between collegiate allegiances was more than ready to get behind one professional franchise. And when the fans rallied around the Hurricanes, they brought the region’s rich tailgating tradition with them.

 

“The Canes moved into the new arena in 1999 and there was some tailgating, but it really caught fire during the team’s first Stanley Cup run in 2002,” said Jay Davis, an avid tailgater from Raleigh. “All of a sudden we were watching hockey through the late spring, the weather was gorgeous, so the tailgating came naturally.” By the time the Canes actually won the Cup in 2006, the tailgating reached legendary proportions. “That first run to the Cup was so fun, added Davis. “We specifically bought Molson Ice beer from Canada for a series against Montreal. The idea was that we wanted to kick their ass AND drink their beer – that’s exactly what we did!”

 

Fans of other NHL teams don’t quite know what to think. At first, opposing fans showed up outside the arena early trying to scalp tickets and were befuddled at the number of people already parked and partying. After all, the New York Rangers don’t have parking lots outside of Madison Square Garden. Even if the Montreal Canadiens are in the playoffs, Canada in April isn’t exactly warm yet.

 

Tailgating for Hurricanes games is such an established tradition that now the parties go on all year. “We’re out here every weekend game, even in winter,” said Karen Fairchild, another Raleigh resident and die-hard Canes fan. “Our group met each other during the 2006 playoffs and we’ve been together ever since. During the season, we might have more conventional menus with fried chicken or burgers, but for the playoffs we kick it up a notch. Tonight we are grilling lobster tails.”

 

Of course, it wouldn’t be a tailgate in Carolina without pork. The smell of whole pigs being roasted on hickory wood descends upon the parking lot. A group of local university professors traded in their books for barbecue during the playoffs. “We love to come out here and cook a whole hog for the start of NHL playoff season,” said Hasan Jameel. “We especially enjoy showing the Canadian visitors what this is all about.”

 

Jameel’s group uses a particularly spicy relish that is affectionately called “Hot Monkey Love” to accompany the barbecue. “I’ve got habaneros, chipotles, jalapenos and one secret ingredient in this recipe,” said Med Byrd, inventor of the Hot Monkey Love. Mix it all together and you’ve got one hot tailgate!”

 

Besides the great food, many tailgate groups have founded traditions that last from season to season – playoffs or not. John Hendges leads a tailgate party that is decorated to the hilt. They put a hockey net on top of the car, complete with a stuffed version of the Hurricanes mascot – Stormy. (Don’t tell anyone that Stormy is a pig. No one wants to own up to eating the mascot.) Dozens of sentimental flags, posters and hats complete the decorations. “We’re so hardcore, we even tailgated for the game on New Year’s Eve,” added Hendges.

 

Long-standing perceptions aren’t changed overnight and many NHL fans still scratch their heads when trying to combine hockey and tailgating. But that doesn’t bother the Carolina Hurricanes fans one bit. They’re going to keep firing up the grills, icing down the coolers and welcoming opposing fans into the world of hockey tailgating.