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Carolina expected to host ’11 All-Star Game

Sergei Samsonov

Carolina Hurricanes’ Sergei Samsonov (14) skates past as fans celebrate his goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009. The Hurricanes won 3-2.(AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

AP

The News & Observer reports that the Carolina Hurricanes are likely to land the 2011 NHL All-Star game. Now, some mean people might ask “Why?” or make a Hartford Whalers joke, but I’m going to take the high road. While the thought of attending an All-Star game (already a bit of a stale event, let’s face it) in Raleigh, N.C. isn’t thrilling, it seems fair enough. Few NHL cities provide a better example of the league’s southern U.S. expansion than the Carolina Hurricanes. On the rare occasion that they make a crazy playoff run, their building is often among the most rowdy arenas in hockey (at least for American teams).

Besides, they’ve never hosted an NHL All-Star game before, so it only seems fair. No word on whether or not Rory Fitzpatrick will make an appearance in the game, though.