Brian Saunders Ed.D.

Duke, App. State, & UNCG alum

[Cory Lavalette @corylav]

That goal is Staal’s first Stanley Cup final goal since June 9, 2009.

That's 6,202 days ago.

[MLB2NC @MLBRaleigh]

🏙️𝗥𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝘃𝘀. 𝗟𝗮𝘀 𝗩𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘀: 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁?

With the @Canes set to square off with Vegas in the Stanley Cup Final, there's never been a better time to take a closer look at the two markets.

When the A's chose to leave a massive Oakland market for Las Vegas, nobody batted an eye. In fact, every single MLB owner voted to approve the move.

Vegas would be a great MLB market, right?

Sure, but if the A's to Vegas was a no-brainer, then what does that make MLB to Raleigh?

Our market has more people, a better media market, less competition for entertainment spend, and sits inside a state that is 3 x as populated.

MLB is about to expand, and they aren't choosing markets based on how many bachelorette parties you can host or how many glowing signs your downtown has.

They're a business, and they're looking for untapped markets with the most potential customers who have the most money, where there isn't a ton of seasonal competition, and that don't cannibalize their other markets.

No matter how you slice it, North Carolina's capital is MLB-ready.

#MLB2NC #RaleighOnDeck

[Awful Announcing @awfulannouncing]

NHL fans in Indianapolis have no broadcaster audio for Game 1 of the Stanely Cup Final. Here's how the first goal sounded on WRTV with only the in-arena sound.

[illegally blonde | #SoundTheSiren @illegallybIond3]

nikolaj ehlers — who came here during free agency — to rod brind'amour after winning the ecf: "thank you for bringing me here."

🥹

[Josh Graham @JoshGrahamShow]

The Carolina Hurricanes haven’t played in the Stanley Cup Final in 20 years.

How long ago is that?

The first two games were broadcast on the Outdoor Life Network (OLN).

You also might recognize who netted the unlikely winner in Game 1.

#SoundTheSiren

[Pat Welter WRAL @PatrickWelter]

Interesting quote from Taylor Hall today talking about the way the #Canes play. He said when he got traded from Chicago, he wasn't in shape enough to handle the amount of skating. He says Rod Brind'Amour's fitness level sets the example.

[Adam Gretz @AGretz]

How the Stanley Cup Final teams were built.

Only two players selected by either team in the first round. Only one top-5 pick (Svechnikov at No. 2... and oddly enough, Carolina only had the 11th-worst record that year. Big lottery luck).

[z - Caniacally @caniacally]

Ottawa: “Hot team. Great goalie. Definitely going seven.” 4-0, CAR.

Philly: “Hot team. Great goalie. Definitely going seven.” 4-0, CAR.

MTL: “Hot team. Great goalie. Definitely going seven.” 4-1, CAR.

Vegas: “Hot team. Great goalie. Definitely going seven.”

[Jank'n Stank @CanesIncognito]

When Tom Dundon bought the Carolina Hurricanes, their head coach was Bill Peters, they had Ron Francis as a GM, they had missed the playoffs 9 years in a row and the average attendance was less than 14,000 per night.

What a change.

[Courtney @wherescourtney]

Canes BANDWAGON and I’m happy to be here

[David Pagnotta @TheFourthPeriod]

It all starts Tuesday!

[Carolina Hurricanes @Canes]

Let's get LOUD, y'all 🚨

[MLB2NC @MLBRaleigh]

📢 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐀𝐒𝐓!

By the time our expansion team takes the field, we are projected to be the 7th largest state in America.

That would mean only states with MULTIPLE MLB teams would be larger than us.

#MLB2NC #RaleighOnDeck

[MLB2NC @MLBRaleigh]

📈𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗖 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗔: Population

North Carolina isn't just the most populous state without Major League Baseball…

We’re also the 3rd fastest-growing state, planted in the largest MLB deadzone on the East Coast.

#MLB2NC #RaleighOnDeck

[Spotrac @spotrac]

MLB Payroll Cost Per Win thru the first third of the 2026 season (wins):

1. NYM: $5.1M (22)
2. TOR: $3.8M (25)
3. PHI: $3.5M (27)
4. HOU: $3.3M (24)
5. DET $3.3M (21)
...
28. TB: $1M (34)
29. MIA: $1M (26)
30. CLE: $847k (32)

[Duke Football @DukeFOOTBALL]

Seeing double 😈

[z-Griff @M_Griff10]

Leaving for work this morning, I looked over and saw what was left behind in the cul-de-sac - a hockey net, scattered sticks, and the remnants of what had to be a 15-20 kid street hockey game last night.

And it hit me… I live at Topsail. A beach community in North Carolina. Yet these kids are choosing to play hockey in the street instead of the “traditional” Southern sports you’d expect around here.

That’s what the Carolina Hurricanes @Canes have done for this state. They didn’t just build a fanbase, they grew the game. It’s honestly amazing seeing hockey take root in places as random as a beach town cul-de-sac. 🏒🌴 Happy Gameday!!!

#SoundTheSiren

[Joe Bailey @joebaileysports]

MLB note to Commissioner Manfred

Every team should play on Opening day, Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day and your national broadcast partners should be forced to air games throughout the day

How this isn't a thing I have no idea

[Donté J Harvey @dontejharvey]

Dukes final returns, incoming and outgoing heading into the 2026-2027 season! 🔥😳

[Carolina Hurricanes @Canes]

Big moment, big call, big celly 😂👏