Historic Raleigh, North Carolina theater bans Tom Wilson during the Hurricanes second-round series.
Photo credit: RMNB
Tom Wilson has racked up his share of critics during his NHL career, but rarely has someone gone so far as to outright ban him from their premise.
With Wilson and the Capitals in Raleigh for Game 4 against the Hurricanes, the local Rialto Theater made it clear he'll need to find another spot if he's looking to see a movie or show during his visit.
Raleigh theater bans Tom Wilson during the Hurricanes second-round series.
The historic theater and event space, situated less than five miles from the Lenovo Center, took a playful swipe at Wilson on its marquee, according to Barry Svrluga of The Washington Post.
The sign reads...
Drove by the Rialto Theater in the heart of Raleigh's classic old Five Points neighborhood.
Marquee currently reads: «All are welcome except Tom Wilson.»
Marquee currently reads: «All are welcome except Tom Wilson.»
Katie Adler from RMNB writes that while Wilson is a fan favorite in Washington, he's far from loved by rival fanbases, especially after his recent viral moments, including mocking gestures and a bench-clearing scuffle in the first round against the Canadiens.
Against the Hurricanes, however, he's made a bigger impact during play than between the whistles. He was arguably Washington's strongest player in their Game 2 win on Thursday, recording a two-point night (1g, 1a) and making several defensive plays to keep the Capitals in the game." -Adler
Spencer Carbery suggested last month that, despite other teams' disdain for Wilson, deep down they'd love to have a player like him on their roster.
«He's one of those guys in sports that every opposing team despises him but would take him in a second. Almost the hatred comes from a, 'I wish we had him.' It really does, and that's a credit to him.» -Carbery
The Capitals were already facing a hostile environment in Raleigh before the Rialto Theater's ban on Wilson. Known as one of the toughest arenas for visiting teams, the Lenovo Center was rocking in Game 3, where the Capitals suffered a rough 4-0 defeat.
«We will rely on some of that experience of playing in, you could argue, two of the most difficult buildings, Montreal and Carolina, in the League,» Carbery said ahead of Game 3. «So, it's good we can rely on that experience.» -Carbery
Saturday's efforts came up short, but the Capitals remain confident they can take Game 4, even if they're not exactly being embraced by the arena crowd or the local cinemas.
| POLL | ||
MAI 12 | 31 ANSWERS Historic Raleigh, North Carolina theater bans Tom Wilson during the Hurricanes second-round series. Do you think the Capitals will win Game 4 in Carolina? | ||
| yes | 19 | 61.3 % |
| no | 12 | 38.7 % |
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