This Date In Sports History: Hartford Whalers Play Their Last Game Before Moving To Carolina To Become The Hurricanes

By Jordan Long

On this date in sports history, the Hartford Whalers played their last game in Hartford before moving to Carolina to become the Hurricanes.   They hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning.

                The Hartford Whalers played in the NHL from 1979 to 1997.  During that time they made the postseason 8 times.  They advanced past the 1st-round once, when they swept the Quebec Nordiques in the 1986 playoffs.  In the 2nd-round that season, they were beaten by the Montreal Canadians in 7 games. Montreal would go on to win the Stanley Cup that year.

                When play started for the 1996-1997 NHL season, Hartford thought they would be able to keep their team.  Owner Peter Karmanos was committed to keeping the franchise in Hartford, Connecticut if attendance was up.  Nobody could imagine this team leaving.

                Back to the last game ever for the Hartford Whalers. It was also the final game of the regular season for both teams in 1997.  They headed into the contest against Tampa Bay at 31 wins, 39 losses, and 11 ties. Tampa Bay’s record was 32 wins, 39 losses, and 10 ties.  Both teams were going to miss the playoffs no matter the result.

                Tampa Bay started Rick Tabaracci in goal.  It was his only season in Tampa Bay. For the Whalers, Sean Burke was between the pipes. 

                Hartford scored 1^st 2 minutes and 30 seconds into the contest. The goal was scored by defenseman Glen Wesley.  The Lightning had scoring chances but couldn’t solve Burke in the period.  In the 3^rd, Hartford added to their lead 24 seconds into the period.  The goal came from Kevin Dineen.  Tampa Bay finally got on the board 2 minutes and 26 seconds later to cut the Whalers lead in half by Dino Ciccarelli.  Tampa Bay tried to tie the game up but were unable to.  Hartford took the game 2-1.

                The fans and the city of Hartford didn’t expect their team to move.  On May 7^th, 1997 it was announced by Karmanos that the team was moving.   He was going to build a new stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina, which was going to be completed for the start of the 1999 season.  They have been the Hurricanes ever since.                   It is heartbreaking when a team moves from a city.  At least the lasting impression for Hartford fans is their team won their last home game ever on this date back in 1997