Whether or not it is deserved, the Coyotes are no strangers to being ridiculed by national media. So, naturally, they understand what the Carolina Hurricanes have been going through over the last several weeks.
The Hurricanes, like the Coyotes, are an NHL team on the rise in a non-traditional hockey market. Like any such market, the battle for new fans can be a grueling one — but the Hurricanes have popularized a unique post-game routine that has polarized the hockey world.
Dubbed the “Storm Surge,” the Hurricanes’ post-win celebration at home is a twist on the traditional stick-salute to fans.