Emotional whiplash: Canes fans go from agony to joy in Stanley Cup Final Game 2
By Kaitlin McKeown
If you need a definition of the nickname “Cardiac Canes,” take a look at these photos from Thursday night, when the Carolina Hurricanes battled the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final.
The Canes lost the first game in the series and things weren’t looking good for much of Game 2. Emotions went from dejection in the first 2 1/2 periods to hope, then the ultimate thrill of victory, when the Canes stormed back. They scored 4 goals in 14 minutes — including one in overtime — for a 4-3 win.
News & Observer photojournalist Kaitlin McKeown captured fans’ emotional whiplash at a watch party in downtown Raleigh’s Moore Square as the Canes knotted the series at 1-1. Next stop: Las Vegas.
People react while watching the first period of the Carolina Hurricanes’ matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights during a watch party for game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday, June 4, 2026, in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Carolina Hurricanes fans react while watching the second period during a watch party for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights in Moore Square on Thursday, June 4, 2026, in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
A person watches the second period of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights during a watch party in Moore Square on Thursday, June 4, 2026, in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Carolina Hurricanes fans react while watching the second period during a watch party for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights in Moore Square on Thursday, June 4, 2026, in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Carolina Hurricanes fans react while watching the second period during a watch party for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights in Moore Square on Thursday, June 4, 2026, in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Fans at a watch party at Moore Square react following a Carolina Hurricanes goal in the third period of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday, June 4, 2026. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Emaly Bostaph, center, reacts following the Carolina Hurricanes’ overtime win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final during a watch party in Moore Square on Thursday, June 4, 2026, in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
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