Home Ice Advantage

While covering Game 6 between the Hurricanes and Devils last week, a fan bragged to me that the RBC Center was known as the loudest arena in the NHL. Now, it's difficult to believe that a team in the Southeast cranks up more decibels than a franchise in Canada. Of course, I don't have the sound equipment or travel time to test it out, but based on what I've seen around Raleigh since the Canes playoff run began, it's easy to see how the proud fan's claim could possibly be true.

I've been a follower of the Carolina Hurricanes since I was in college at the University of South Carolina. Even before I moved to the Tar Heel State in 2007, I had visited the RBC Center several times to see the Canes in action, and I was always impressed with the atmosphere. But I never imagined it could be the NHL's loudest. That is, until I recently started working in Raleigh on a regular basis. It seems I can't drive around town a few minutes without seeing that red-and-black logo on a flag flying from a car window or home, or on a license plate, bumper sticker or car magnet. Everywhere I turn, there are Canes jerseys, t-shirts, and hats. It's amazing to see the pride Raleigh has in this franchise. Back in the early 1990's, hockey seemed like an almost foreign sport in the Southeast. Now, two Southeastern teams have won Stanley Cups in the past five years. I'm sure college basketball will always be the favorite sport of most North Carolinians, but the Caniacs have a proud presence in this town. They're the reason the RBC Center is such an intimidating environment for opposing teams. And with the top-seeded Boston Bruins coming to town Wednesday night for Game 3 of the second-round series, the Caniacs will be in action once again. They've helped Carolina to a 12-game home winning streak this season, a first round upset over the New Jersey Devils, and now they're taking aim at the Bruins. Are the Caniacs actually the loudest in the NHL? Who knows. But one thing is for sure: the RBC Center will be rockin' with lots of red-and-black pride every time the Canes are home.

The "Q" gets a big "O"

Sean O'Hair claimed the champions blazer at the Quail Hollow Championship on Sunday. It's hard to put into words what this young man has done in his 26 years on earth, but suffice to say, the kid is a fighter. Turned pro at 17, married young, has two kids, a third on the way, and as recently as 5 years ago, was gutting it out on the mini-tours with about $2,000 to his (family's) name. Not to mention a falling out with his father, whom he no longer speaks to. He was playing week to week, and basically, check to check. Now, he's just 1 of 3 players under 30 years of age with 3 PGA Tour wins. The others: Sergio Garcia and Adam Scott. Solid.

A big thanks to the membership at the Quail Hollow Club for their hospitality during the week, as well as the shuttle drivers, the assistants in the Media Center, the folks that helped out behind the scenes that were instrumental in helping us bring you the best coverage possible.

Lee Patterson, Media Director, was, once again, the MVP of the tournament. Great job, Lee.

A big thanks to Mark Stevens and his staff with the PGA Tour. One of his staffers went so far as to ask me if I had implants in my calves, and later in the week, took a phone picture comparing mine to his. Funny stuff, the kind of things you'll remember for a long time.

Next up for us, 2 weeks of racing at Lowe's Motor Speedway--but that's in 2 weeks. The calm before the storm is where we sit today, and I have to tell you, it's quite comfy here.

I promised a Stanley Cup round 2 primer, but the 2nd round series began during golf week, so in a nutshell:

WEST:
Chicago v. Vancouver - Blackhawks have their hands full, but they got a split on the road. Advantage Chicago. Pick: Blackhawks in 6

Anaheim v. Detroit - Wings dropped game 2 in 3 overtimes on Sunday. Not to worry. Pick: Wings in 6

East:
Carolina v. Boston - Hurricanes blanked Boston in game 2 to even the series at 1-1. Bruins are the best in the East and it will take a huge effort to knock them off. Pick: Bruins in 6

Pittsburgh v. Washington - The Capitals won the opener, with game 2 tonight. Caps seem to have found lightning in a bottle with their new goaltender, and that might be enough. Then again....Pick: Pens in 7

Mike Solarte

Things to do before Quail Hollow wraps up

If you haven’t made your way out to Quail Hollow yet, but still have a trip planned for this weekend, there are a few things you need to make sure you do:


1) As much of a hassle as it is to be part of the stampede of Tiger followers, it is well worth the trouble for the chance to see the man who will go down as the greatest to ever play the game. Following a man as he absolutely dominates a sport that many of us end up slamming our clubs down in frustration when we play is a pleasure. If Woods has another good day on Saturday, he’ll be teeing off Sunday sometime around 12:30 p.m.

2) Enjoy the beauty of the course. Take a few minutes and sit around the green at 17, walk along the 7th fairway and hang out around the 18th green to see the golfers as they finish their day.

3) Join the throng at the autograph area. The biggest players will gather near the putting area(also a good place to check out because of the mass of golfers) to do interviews with the press after their round. It is there that they often give autographs.

4) Eat a crepe

5) Hang out at the driving range. You’ll get a look at a number of the golfers if you head out early. The driving range is located back behind the putting area.

6) Get there early and follow the tailing group. Though those teeing off at 8 a.m. may already be out of contention, following them around a few holes will allow you to get much closer to the golfers than you will get if you follow only Tiger and Phil. It’s relaxing and interesting to just slowly move through the course without 1,000 people running into you.

Wednesday Quick Hit from the Q

The day's events are winding down, and it will be onto the tournament action on Thursday. I love the anticipation of the PGA Tour teeing it up in my backyard. It's going to be a great weekend, provided the weather holds.

-Tiger Woods looked very relaxed during his round, and very focused. Had a chance to follow him on his back nine as he played alongside Peyton manning (yes, THAT Peyton Manning). The two sports stars exchanged playful verbal jabs all the way around the course. While Manning was signing plenty of hats, pictures, and cards, Tiger was in his office. He didn't sign one item until his round was complete. Then he likely burned up 2 Sharpies signing the items placed into his hands. It was quite the sight. Glad some lucky fans got the ink from the Man.

-Pairings notes for the first two days....Want international players? Your group goes off at 12:40 on hole #1 on Thursday. The players: Camilo Villegas (Colombia), Vijay Singh (Fiji Islands), and Padraig Harrington (Ireland). You have a past champ, the 2008 Player of the Year, and one of the guys the ladies seem to fawn over. I think you can figure out who I am talking about.

The 12:50 Thursday group off the first includes Phil Mickelson, Davis Love III, and Anthony Kim. You could do worse to follow that group.

The big name threesome goes off number 10 at 7:40. Tiger Woods, Jim Furyk and David Toms. 3 past champions of this event, and Sergio Garcia goes in the group in front of them at 7:30. It's a star-studded field, and there will be plenty to see.

Enjoy your week!

Mike Solarte

Panthers don't need Vick, so shhhhhhhh!!!

While walking the course at Wednesday’s Quail Hollow pro-am event, I couldn’t help but overhear a number of conversations from the thousands of attendees on hand. And, though I tried to tell myself I was just imagining things, I heard lots of people talking about how they believe the Carolina Panthers should go after Michael Vick.

These people were displeased with the Panthers and their recent contract moves with current quarterback Jake Delhomme. They felt that Vick, fresh out of prison and no longer fighting dogs, would be the best bet to lead the team forward after their unceremonious departure from the NFC playoffs last year.

Let me tell you why that is a stupid idea.

First of all, despite one of the worst playoff performances I’ve ever seen, Jake isn’t a bad quarterback. He helped led the team to a great record last year before falling apart in that last game. And even then, how much of that was his fault? How much fault lies on the coaching staff from going away from the ground game that much of the year had been hammering teams? Despite their increased defensive abilities in the playoffs, Arizona could be ran on.

But Delhomme isn’t the questionable part of the (Carolina +Vick) – Delhomme = Super Bowl formula. The stupid part is the section of that formula where we bring in a quarterback that, at his best, was just a rich man’s Kordell Stewart. Vick is not a good quarterback. In fact, he’s a terrible quarterback, and that was before he spent time in the slammer. I doubt he learned how to throw accurately while lifting weights in prison.

Vick is a running back who for some reason likes to throw a lot. The Panthers don’t need another running back. And they don’t need a new quarterback. People need to chill. Peyton Manning had some bad playoff games, but you don’t hear people calling for his head. And, he got over those problems and won a Super Bowl.

The Panthers, despite the pain many people are still feeling from last year, still have Steve Smith and a dynamic running game. Hopefully we can still get something out of Peppers. Matt Ryan is due for his sophomore slump, New Orleans can’t play defense and Tampa Bay is rebuilding. The Panthers ought to still win this division and make another run at the Super Bowl with Jake leading the way.

Michael Parks ~News14.com

Quail Hollow quick hit

Running out the door to head to the Tuesday activities at the Quail Hollow Championship. Couple things:

PGA Tour player Webb Simpson will be stopping by the studio for a visit. Had the chance to chat with him on Monday, but looking forward to a few minutes with him. This is a guy IO covered when he was 9 years old. Now, to quote Vince Vaughn in Swingers, he's "all growns up." Great kid. You can see what I'm talking about at news14.com. Check out the Monday Quail Hollow wrap up.

Got an e-mail from a viewer asking if I was blind or insane (or something to that effect), when I said during Monday's Sports Night, the catch fence at Talladega did it's job on Sunday. So how am I blind or insane? Carl Edwards car ended up back on the race track. The fence is designed to do that. The 7 fans that suffered injuries, didn't get hit with the car. They got hit by pieces of debris from the car and fence. If the fence had failed, we wouldn't have had 7 injuries. We likely would have had double digit deaths. The fence did it's job. Next subject.

Don't know if I will get NFL Draft post-mortem thoughts out this week, as I will be basically living at the golf course. Mini-camp is this weekend for the Panthers. Hopefully, we'll get to hear some of their thoughts, in between birdies and bunker shots.

Mike Solarte

Tiger coming to Charlotte

Tiger Woods is coming back to Charlotte, to play in the Quail Hollow Championship. His website posting that just after 10 a.m. on Friday, although no official word from the tournament directors (but we expect that to come sometime this afternoon).

The tournament is now in a unique position of having 2 current defending champions in their field. Tiger did not have a chance to defend his 2007 title, due to resting his knee after the Masters, and 2008 champ Anthony Kim will be back to defend his crown. Kinda cool.

Much more on this as the day goes on, but if there was any thought that this event would not be a sellout (and it's close to that now), this news should put them over the top. It's the first time the tournament hasn't been sold out this late in the month. Usually, it's a sellout before April begins (or at least it seems that way).

Tiger is coming off of a top 10 finish at the Masters, and a win at Bay Hill before that. The week just got more interesting.

Mike Solarte