Hurricanes Win - Where's the Crowd?

Last year, attendance proved less than desired in Greensboro, and so far this season it looks like a repeat. However, what the 'Canes lack in quantity, they make up in quality.

Ticket prices are lower and the team is much better, but a lot of seats at the Greensboro Coliseum are still empty when the Hurricanes hit the ice.

"Anytime you go out in front of your home crowd with 15,000 to 18,000 people cheering for you and making noise in the building, just the atmosphere makes it so much more exciting to play hockey," Hurricanes left wing Gary Roberts said.

The atmosphere for the 'Canes is not as exciting as it could be, but the fans that do show up are making themselves heard.

"I never have a voice when I'm done with a game," season ticket holder Ken Schoolmeester said. "We're trying to make up for the lack of people with some noise."

"What little we have, we have to work with," season ticket holder Jon Scanlon said. "The players love hearing us down there, so we have to get the crowd into this game."

With the small crowd it is probably easy for players to find friends and family members, and it also easy to see who is into the game and who is sitting on their hands.

"We know they hear us," Scanlon said. "They have told us that they hear us."

If the 'Canes really want to fill up the building they will have to start winning some games. Until then, the only green they are going to see are the seats - not the color of money.