Raiders forward Noah Gregor celebrates his goal in Game 2 of the Raiders' 4-0 win over the Giants. Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff

By Jeff D'Andrea

Championship chance

A rare opportunity

May 12, 2019 | 12:31 PM

As raucous as the Prince Albert Raiders fans have been throughout this courageous run into the 2019 Rogers WHL Championship Series, they haven’t got to see their boys clinch a series live in a long time—unless of course they travelled.

The road Raiders have delivered the final blow to all three of their previous opponents these playoffs in away barns. They completed the sweep over the Red Deer Rebels March 27 at the ENMAX Centrium in Red Deer. They beat the Saskatoon Blades in Game 6 down the road at the SaskTel Centre on April 14, and they edged the Edmonton Oil Kings in six games at Rogers Place in downtown Edmonton on April 28.

And to add to that point, the only other time the Raiders won the league championship was in Kamloops, B.C. on May 3, 1985.

But if the Raiders are going to win the Ed Chynoweth Cup this year, it’s going to be at the Art Hauser Centre. And it would be in front of the loud and dedicated fan base that has literally camped overnight outside the rink for the chance of securing tickets throughout the playoffs.

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The Raiders have two chances to beat the Vancouver Giants and get their hands on the trophy. Their first opportunity is tonight, Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Art Hauser Centre. Should the Giants win, then the cup will be completely up for grabs on Monday at 7 p.m.

The previous two WHL final series have been decided in six games. In fact, if the Raiders win in six games, they’ll have a very similar journey to last year’s champions: the Swift Current Broncos. The Broncos lost Game 1 of that series against the Everett Silvertips, rattled off three straight wins, lost Game 5, then sealed it at home for Game 6.

The Seattle Thunderbirds also beat the Regina Pats in six games to win the 2017 Ed Chynoweth Cup.

The last time the finals were decided in seven games was back in 2014, when the Edmonton Oil Kings edged the Portland Winterhawks in the rubber match. There’s been three finals that have been decided in seven games since 2004.

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW