It was all over the second the Hurricanes first skated to the blue line, clapped in unison and leapt into the boards that fateful Oct. 8.



Right after their rollercoaster 8-5 win over the Rangers, the Canes and their Storm Surge were crowned the coveted National Media Narrative of the NHL season. They’d have all the fun they wanted and to hell with any dinosaur that disagreed. Their wholesome middle finger to the fun police has been a noble crusade full of character wins and three-goal third periods and a 37-year-old Cup champ and an 18-year-old gift who wears the number 37.



“We want to have fun when we win,” Rod Brind’Amour said after that first celebration. “The game should be fun. That’s why we’re doing it. I want the players to enjoy winning and the fans to enjoy being here.”



Of course, the Canes still enjoy the wins, and you bet those wins are still fun, and the fans at PNC Arena have the wherewithal to...