Nothing Could Be Finer Than Hockey in Carolina; and Maybe Even Tempe

Sunbelt hockey is here to stay. Mike Lange leaving Pens broadcast. KHL Kirill? More moves coming.

When the Hartford Whalers moved to Raleigh in 1997 and became the Carolina Hurricanes it was a sad day in Connecticut. 

It also was a dubious day among many hockey analysts who remained convinced that hockey should only be played above The Mason-Dixon Line. "Why Carolina?" was the standard beef.

The answer, as it usually has been in the sports business, w…