Raider fans get ready to send the team off to Saskatoon (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Raiders Fever

P.A. comes out to send off the Raiders

Apr 8, 2019 | 8:23 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders are set to drop the puck for game three of their second round series against the Saskatoon Blades Tuesday night and they were given the perfect send off for the short road trip late Monday afternoon.

The team pulled off for the journey to the Bridge City with an escort that included police, fire and Parkland Ambulance along with a number of others.

As the Raiders team bus pulled away from the Art Hauser Centre they were greeted by around 100 fans, many decked out in the team’s colors as they lined the route.

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One of the fans who made it out was Roger Pagé, who has been following the team closely for the past 10 years. He explained why he wanted to come and show his support.

“We live and breathe this stuff, the boys keep talking about our support and it’s like, you know what, we live off them too, it’s almost a symbiotic thing,” he said.

Pagé said it is hard for him not to say the current team is the best he has ever see. He added he is especially impressed with how well-rounded they are overall.

“This team here, it’s good stuff …great stuff,” he said.

Another fan who gave a big wave to the players was Ray Jutras. He’s been a fan of the team for a long time and has not let much get in the way of his support.

“Back in the 70s we were living in La Ronge, but we had season tickets here because that’s the only way you could see a playoff game, rather than standing in line and then we moved to Prince Albert about 25 years ago and we’ve been Raider supporters,” he said.

During their time away from the city Jutras would make regular trips on the weekends to see games.

Jutras and his family have also billeted players for the team in the past. During the team’s last long playoff run in 2005 they were putting up players and were along for the ride.

“We followed them right through to Brandon, to the last game,” he said.

Jutras added the organization is an easy one to support as it is a first class one all the way through from the top down.

“Even in the lean years, we’ve still be here, we’re Raider fans after all,” he said.

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn