Tonight the run of bittersweet beautiful weather home games to close out the 2013-14 season continues. On the one hand, with no playoff hockey on the horizon, it is nice to have ample tailgatable (even for the non-die hards who tailgate every game regardless of weather) games to finish the season. On the other hand, it hurts to know that Canes fans will again miss the chance to do it for the playoffs.

Tonight is the home finale. Xs and Os are irrelevant. For me, this game is really about the Carolina Hurricanes community that has it rough right now. The community is built upon the mutual respect and sincere appreciation between the team and its fan base. Who remembers the awkward pep rally in downtown Raleigh to celebrate the Stanley Cup 2002 loss? At the time, I think it was incredibly awkward for the players who were gassed from a long playoff run and down about losing but being called into a celebration. And of course people remember the many times greeting the team at the airport in the wee hours of the night for flights home during playoff series. And by being accessible and down to earth in the community, the players over the years have reciprocrated by making themselves part of the community not at all in the untouchable rock star fashion normal in larger markets.

So wrapping up a difficult season, tonight's game is about that. Despite being frustrated by a 5th consecutive playoff miss, Canes fans need to show up with the same "We're in this together" attitude that is the core of community. And despite having nothing to play for standings-wise, the players need to dig down inside themselves, remember that they are still playing for the loyal fan base 1 last time and put forward an effort that shows appreciation and respect.

After tonight, I will transition to the realities of what went wrong, who underperformed, what needs to change for next year and all of that stuff.

But tonight is about the Carolina Hurricanes community that is the core of the franchise.

Twitter=@CarolinaMatt63

Go Canes!
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