The Carolina Hurricanes open their 2011-12 regular-season on Friday. Front lawn party and pre-game ceremonies highlight Opening Night.

RALEIGH, NC – Jon Chase, Director of Community Relations and Promotions for the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today outlined the details surrounding the team’s Opening Night, this Friday, Oct. 7, at the RBC Center against the Tampa Bay Lightning (7 p.m., FOX Sports Carolinas HD, Hurricanes Radio Network).

Beginning at 5 p.m., the band GrooveTown will entertain fans during the Front Lawn Party presented by Verizon Wireless, featuring inflatable games, street hockey and more. The final THINK ICE event, which begins at 9 a.m. on Friday on the RBC Center’s front lawn, will wrap up during the Front Lawn Party, with a grand prize of an upgrade to Champions Club tickets for Friday’s game. Please visit www.CarolinaHurricanes.com/thinkice for more information on the Hurricanes’ THINK ICE campaign.

Upon entering the RBC Center prior to Friday’s game, fans can pick up a car magnet and a 2011-12 schedule magnet, courtesy of Excel Moving & Storage. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 6:45 p.m. for a special pre-game ceremony, including tributes to Donnie MacMillan, Chopper Harrison and Josef Vasicek, members of the Hurricanes family that passed away during the offseason. Hurricanes great Jeff O’Neill will be part of the Hurricane Warning Siren ceremony, and will be signing autographs on the concourse outside of Section 113 from 6:10-6:40 p.m. Private First Class Kyle M. Levy from Fort Bragg will sound the Hurricane Warning Siren, and there will be a special introduction of the 2011-12 team.

The Carolina Hurricanes open their 2011-12 regular-season campaign on Friday against Tampa Bay before traveling to Washington for their first road game of the season on Saturday. The team will return to the RBC Center on Wednesday, Oct. 12, to face the Boston Bruins (7:30 p.m., Vs. HD, Hurricanes Radio Network). For information on 2011-12 Carolina Hurricanes ticket packages, please visit www.CarolinaHurricanes.com, or call 1-866-NHL-CANES.