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Where are the fans?

Sep 22, 2011 | 10:56 AM

It's among the most exciting times of any hockey season. The Raiders start playing for points this weekend against the Saskatoon Blades culminating in Saturday's regular-season home opener.

The return of Mark McNeill from the Chicago Blackhawks after a strong NHL debut Tuesday in Saskatoon is perfect timing for a team trying to prove last year's return to the playoffs was no fluke.

McNeill has a strong supporting cast. Brandon Herrod leads a 20-year-old group that is as good as any in the Western Hockey League. Justin Maylan piled up seven points in two games last weekend while defenseman James Bettauer has been one of the best players since camp broke a month ago.

Newly imported Norwegian winger Jonas Knutsen led all WHL shooters in the preseason with six goals in just four games. Defnseman Josh Morrissey, 16, could challenge for rookie of the year, while 18-year-old goalie Cole Holowenko has burst onto the scene with some sensational preseason puck-stopping. Meanwhile, second year centremen Mike Winther and Shane Danyluk look ready to become impact players.

The team has followed up on a captivating end to the 2010-11 regular season and exhilarating playoff run with a competitive training camp and memorable exhibition schedule scoring 21 goals while registering a 3-1 record.

However, as of the Thursday morning opening at the box office, seasons ticket sales stood about 1,570. Sure it's a modest increase over last year, but 130 short of their goal. The 1,700 figure wasn't just pulled out of a hat, it's the estimated benchmark needed for a projected break-even regular season on the balance sheet.

Although the harvest is a factor, the sales of season-long subscriptions have stalled over the past three weeks. Also as Thursday morning, only 1,814 tickets had been sold for Saturday's 900 CKBI home opener.

Prince Albert fans are well known for their rush to the rink on game day, but there will have to be quite a rush for the Raiders to play in front of four straight sellouts dating back to the final home date of last regular season and the playoffs.

For the first time since the long playoff run of 2005, the buzz about the Raiders has been consistently positive. However it hasn't translated in ticket sales, at least not yet.

dwilson@rawlco.com