Carolina Hurricanes - Stanley Cup Champions

The Carolina Hurricanes are the 2006 Stanley Cup Champions! 

I can't seem to find the words that could capture this moment.  I heard the word "surreal" about a dozen times during the post game interviews from Rod Brind'Amour and Glen Wesley.  At the time, I thought it sounded cliche', but while I attempt to document this monumental event in blog form, surreal sounds appropriate. 

Seems odd to see myself become so shocked and stunned by seeing my team become a champion.  A few of my favorite sports teams are no strangers to championships.  (see 1993, 2005 UNC Basketball. see also 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers)  For some reason, this victory means a little bit more to me than the others.  Although this makes absolutely no sense because I went to more UNC basketball games than Canes hockey games therefore there was less of an investment.  Perhaps its because as a hockey fan in the South, I constantly have to defend or promote hockey to non-hockey fans. 

What I enjoy the most is that with a championship like this, North Carolina...er...the Carolinas have defined themselves as a legitimate professional sports city.  There are great sports cities other than New York, Philadelphia or Chicago and Raleigh is one of them.  The Stanley Cup can be in North Carolina just as much as it can be in the Great Lakes area or Canada.

Congratulations Carolina Hurricanes!