Carolina Hurricanes will hit the ice for NHL Stadium Series in Raleigh

RALEIGH, N.C. — Thousands of fans will be heading to Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh this weekend, though it won’t be college football on display, but an NHL matchup featuring the Carolina Hurricanes.

For the better part of two weeks, crews have been building an outdoor ice rink at Carter-Finley, square by square, rain or shine.

N.C. State Athletic Director Boo Corrigan said he didn’t need to be convinced when he was presented with the opportunity to serve as a host site for the NHL Stadium Series.

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“When it first came up, we were all like, ‘Yeah, let’s do this,’” he said.

The outdoor game will serve as a first for the Carolina Hurricanes, when they’ll face the Washington Capitals at 8 p.m. Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium.

“Everyone wants to be on the biggest stage,” Corrigan said. “From a hockey standpoint, this is about as big a stage as you’re going to find with 57,000 people.”

The game is currently sold out.

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“That’s part of why it’s so special wherever we go,” added Steve Mayer, the chief content officer for the NHL and an event producer. “To really celebrate where we’re at, and show it off to not only to those who are in the stadium.”

Mayer said the NHL looks to share that celebration around the world.

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Every detail throughout the rink construction was measured, thought out to the last drop, and then, of course -- frozen.

“It’s amazing how they’re able to create ice in any condition,” Mayer said.

The weekend serves as a showcase for N.C. State University, the city of Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes, extending across the entire state of North Carolina.

“Typically at this time, we’re trying to grow grass and figure everything out,” Corrigan said. “Now, we have an ice rink.”

“So let’s get it going. Let’s play some hockey,” Mayer added.

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