In just their second season of existence, Winston-Salem’s Carolina Thunderbirds of the Federal Hockey League (FHL) are having an unprecedented campaign.

With a record of 33-4-1, the Thunderbirds are in first place by a wide margin. The second place team has only 19 wins. They’ve already clinched a spot in the playoffs with 20 regular season games left on the schedule. A 3-2 loss to the Watertown Wolves on Feb. 10 broke their recent league-record win streak of 23 straight wins. For perspective on the length of this streak, the Thunderbirds didn’t lose a single game for 71 days. Any fan that saw them play in the month of January was guaranteed to see a win.

Many minor league hockey teams have played in the Triad, but few have experienced such success in such little time. The FHL expanded to Winston-Salem for the 2017-18 hockey season, meaning a team would inhabit the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex for the first time since the Twin City Cyclones ceased operations in 2009.

After setting a league attendance record in their first season, the loud and raucous fans are determined to set another record this season. The Thunderbirds offer a unique experience for local sports fans that are unacquainted with hockey. This level of the sport involves a lot of physicality and fighting, something that is becoming more rare in higher professional leagues.

Game tickets can be bought for as little as $9. If you’re a sports fan looking for something fun to do, don’t overlook the highly entertaining Carolina Thunderbirds. Hockey is truly back in the Triad.