New York Rangers supporters aiming to attend the away games against the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Second Round might face difficulty securing tickets. SNY reports that those attempting to buy tickets for Games 3, 4, and 6 at PNC Arena are encountering a message stating:
“PNC Arena is situated in Raleigh, NC. Sales for this event will be limited to residents of North Carolina, South Carolina, and southern parts of Virginia. Residency will be determined by credit card billing address. Orders from residents outside North Carolina, South Carolina, and southern Virginia will be cancelled without notice, with refunds issued.”
This strategy to exclude Rangers fans from the arena isn’t new. In fact, back in 2022, the Hurricanes and PNC Arena employed the same approach during their second-round series.
Despite this, it wasn’t as effective as either side had hoped, as Rangers fans still managed to attend the four games in Raleigh. The Rangers ultimately won the series in seven games, including a decisive 6-2 victory in Game 7 in Raleigh.
Rangers fans may find it difficult to attend games against Hurricanes in Raleigh
Rangers fans aren’t the only ones facing obstacles to attend away games this postseason.
Following the influx of New York Knicks fans at Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia during Games 3 and 4 of their first-round NBA playoff series, the owners of the 76ers announced they would buy up to 2,000 tickets and give them to first responders in Philadelphia—a kind gesture, but clearly with the intention of keeping Knicks fans out of the arena.
With numerous options available on the secondary market and a significant number of former residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut now living in Carolina, it remains to be seen how effective the Hurricanes’ plan will be. Additionally, Rangers fans are known for their willingness to travel, a fact that coach Peter Laviolette has frequently commented on this season.
In their only visit to PNC Arena this season on March 12, New York won 1-0. Adam Fox, acquired by the Rangers in a trade with Carolina in April 2019, scored the game’s only goal.
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