(Submitted photo/Mark Peterson Media)

By Jeff D’Andrea

Raiders Hockey

Raiders will return to the rink this weekend for two games after last week’s were postponed

Feb 3, 2022 | 12:00 PM

Uncertainty is a thing everybody has had to deal with since March 2020. Is this event cancelled? When will this be rescheduled? How will this work with protocols?

But Prince Albert Raiders’ business manager Michael Scissons has learned there is one constant that can still be relied on throughout all these unknowns — the unwavering support of Raider fans.

After both of the Raiders’ games were postponed last week after six players were put in COVID-19 protocols, they will return to the Art Hauser Centre ice twice this weekend: Friday against the Red Deer Rebels and Saturday against the Edmonton Oil Kings.

“That’s one thing we can always count on is the support from the community for the team. Anytime there’s a hockey game here, you can see the excitement on people’s faces, to see the boys back out on the ice,” Scissons said. “We were only able to play three games at home in January, and that’s not a whole lot.

“We’ve only played 18 of 34 games left with just a couple months left of the season, so there’s going to be a lot of Raider hockey over the next couple of months but it’s going to kick off with two really good games this weekend.”

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If fans have been frustrated by the postponements and delays, Scissons said he and the Raiders’ front office staff haven’t seen too much of it. He added most fans have appreciated the situation and what needs to be done.

“I think for the most part, understanding is a great way to put it. Everybody’s been good, we haven’t had any complaints because at the end of the day, what can we do with that complaint?” Scissons said. “It’s something that at the end of the day, it’s out of our hands. It’s not Prince Albert specific, the league has gone through a stretch over the last six weeks of dealing with COVID and COVID-related issues.”

Scissons believes the Raiders and the Western Hockey League as a whole are on the “opposite side” of the Omicron variant situation that has plagued the league and others, as most teams have already gone through it.

Throughout January, Scissons and the Raiders have urged fans to hold on to their tickets for games that have been postponed, and to use those for entry for the makeup games.

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Jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW