From tailgate parties to painted faces and late night parades to welcome home the team, you don’t have to look far to see how Prince Albertans are rallying together to support one of the most exciting times in the city’s recent history. (submitted photos)

By Emily Zbaraschuk

Hockey fans unite

Playoff frenzy unites Prince Albert

May 9, 2019 | 3:12 PM

It took 34 years, but the Prince Albert Raiders have finally made it to the WHL finals and the city has been celebrating accordingly as their series with the Vancouver Giants continues.

From tailgate parties to painted faces and late night parades to welcome home the team, you don’t have to look far to see how Prince Albertans are rallying together to support one of the most exciting times in the city’s recent history.

When Dennis Pott and Keanan Tibbs founded a Facebook group last November called ‘Prince Albert Raider Talk’, they figured it would attract 30 to 40 die-hard fans. Tibbs said they seriously underestimated the amount of Raider hockey enthusiasts it would attract. In the last month alone, the group has gained over 800 new members.

“I never expected to have over 1,300 members join this group. It’s amazing,” Tibbs said.

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The group has become a place for fans to exchange stories, post videos, and upload pictures of memorabilia, face paint, memes and more. Hundreds of fans have connected with a similar goal: to talk hockey and cheer on their team. Heartwarming moments have been shared as well.

A picture of Mark Doell and Mary Ellen Jones was posted with the caption, “Our Raider’s #1 Fan, Mary Ellen Jones needed a ride to both games this weekend. We need her there to help our boys win! My privilege to make sure she is [there]!”

Mark Doell volunteered to drive long time Raider fan Mary Ellen Jones to and from the home games. (Facebook/Mark Doell)

Jones has been cheering for the Raiders for 48 years. Doell drove her to and from the games, which he counted as a privilege.

“You have to do that for the community. You have to reach out,” Doell said.

A few weeks prior, he got the entire team to sign Jones’ jersey, something he said “she just loved.”

Another post on the page by a fan Dale Sean Dirks reads, “Love the atmosphere around the city. Lots of newfound pride and togetherness. Best of luck to OUR TEAM. You have already had an amazing year…. Go get it ALL!!!”

When the Raiders returned from their successful series against the Edmonton Oil Kings, hundreds of die-hard fans gathered in the Art Hauser Centre parking lot close to midnight just to salute the team. The welcome home was initiated by a post in the Facebook group. It’s also where over 170 messages of encouragement were posted, printed and then shared with the Raiders’ team during that series.

“The atmosphere in the Art Hauser Centre has been incredible over the playoffs,” Tibbs said.

Even when the team isn’t playing in town, the Ches Leach Lounge at the Art Hauser Centre has been rocking. A watch party attracted hundreds of fans on Wednesday night for Game 4 and another watch party is scheduled for Game 5 on Friday. Despite the distance, several superfans made the trek out to Langley, B.C. to cheer on the Raiders in person. The attendance was large enough to hear the Raider fans cheering in the background during the play-by-play broadcasts on Saskatchewan Country CKBI radio.

The Raiders now lead the best-of-seven WHL championship series 3-1 and have a chance to claim their second league championship in team history.

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emily.zbaraschuk@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow