"This is 100 times better than Greensboro," said Moss, 14, who was sitting up against the glass behind the goal.

	Carolina and New Jersey players break in the ice at the new arena in Raleigh Friday.

For the past two years, fans who wanted to attend a Carolina Hurricanes home game had to drive to Greensboro, 80 miles from team's official home city.

But now, Carolina has a permanent home -- a $154 million, 18,500-seat arena across from North Carolina State's Carter-Finley Stadium.

"I'm glad the 'Canes are here," said Charlotte Mayo, who cheered on the Hurricanes on Friday night with a sign that said, "Welcome Home Y'all."

The tan concrete oval with aqua-colored glass windows dominates the local landscape. Inside, red and black is the main color scheme. Above center ice, decorated with Carolina's hurricane logo, is an eight-sided scoreboard with video screens.

Carolina lost the home-opener 4-2 to New Jersey, but the Hurricanes enjoyed being in their new home.

"The crowd was phenomenal. We came out and played a sound game," rookie defenseman David Tanabe said. "I enjoyed being on the ice."

Before Carolina faced off with the New Jersey Devils, fans were treated to a video montage of Hurricanes' highlights to the music of "Top Gun." Swing band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy played a few tunes while dancers performed on rugs laid on top of the face-off circles.

Another video showed Carolina's hog mascot, Stormy, running through the state to find his way to Raleigh. The trip did not include Greensboro, which ranked last in NHL attendance last year. Stormy finally got on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle in Durham to arrive at the arena.

After the Hurricanes' lineup was announced, a red Southeast Division championship banner was unveiled to a standing ovation. The crowd then grew quiet for several seconds in memory of Hurricanes defenseman Steve Chiasson, who died in a wreck while driving drunk last spring.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman gave the arena two thumbs up.

"The Hurricanes have a terrific home," he said before the game. "This is making a new beginning that I think will do nothing but bring success to the Triangle."

Pat and Charles Combs drove an hour from Goldsboro and arrived at 3:30 p.m. to watch the pre-game festivities outside the arena. A rock band, clowns and a man on stilts entertained fans waiting for the doors to open.

Members of the Hurricanes bent red, black and white balloons into hockey sticks and hats.

"They're our favorite team," Pat Combs said. "I didn't like hockey, then they got me hooked."

Officials originally hoped to open the facility in time for the Special Olympics in late June; then deadlines of Sept. 1 and Sept. 15 were set. Carolina played the first nine games this season on the road to allow more time to finish construction.

"It's great for the team to finally have a home," said Mark Baumann, who drove from New Jersey with his 10-year-old son to cheer on the Devils. "You just hope they get enough fan support so they can stay here."