Senators to Cooper: For Goodness Sake, Let People Go Enjoy a Hockey Game

Cooper rejected Carolina Hurricanes’ application to increase fan attendance for playoff run

Neighboring Tennessee will allow nearly three times as many fans at arena when Hurricanes play Nashville Predators

Cooper’s current restrictions are set to expire in just two weeks

Raleigh, N.C. — North Carolina Senators Amy Galey (R-Alamance) and Lisa S. Barnes (R-Nash) today urged Gov. Roy Cooper to reverse his decision to reject the Carolina Hurricanes’ application to increase capacity limits during their upcoming playoff run.

In a letter to Gov. Cooper, the senators wrote, “We implore you, let North Carolinians celebrate this championship season and enjoy playoff hockey in the Loudest House in the NHL by approving the Hurricanes’ submitted plans.”

The News & Observer reported that just 6,000 fans will be allowed into PNC Arena in Raleigh, while the Hurricanes’ playoff opponents, the Nashville Predators, will have 14,000 fans at their arena.

The Hurricanes submitted an application to Gov. Cooper to allow for more fans, but Gov. Cooper rejected it.

Regarding the fan capacity disparity with Nashville, Hurricanes Coach Rod Brind’Amour told the News & Observer, “That’s a big advantage, there’s no doubt about it. Obviously, it’s out of our hands. We can talk about it all day. It would be nice if we could do that, but our fans have been great. They might have to put a little extra effort in if we don’t have that many people in there.”