There were a lot of high fives exchanged after Monday night's thrilling game 7. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Fan relief:WHL Champions

Raiders revel and release: let the party begin!

May 14, 2019 | 8:29 AM

It took a long time for fans to exit the Art Hauser Centre Monday night after one of the most dramatic hockey tussles in memory. But once the on-ice celebrations for the WHL Championship had ended and the Raider faithful headed for the doors, it was like a pressure cooker release.

Joyous and smiling, and admittedly much-relieved, the fans spilled out into the parking lot chanting, singing and screaming before a din of car horns signalled their return home to wherever they’d travelled from to witness the dramatic overtime 3-2 win for the home team.

“It was crazy and so exciting …they played so hard …I’m so happy for them,” said one fan.

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“My anxiety levels went from a hundred to like negative ten … this is a good thing,” said another, before letting off a scream of delight and relief.

One couple who paNOW approached outside could barely get any words out, such was the pungent mix of delight and relief.

One of many Raiders seen waving after the game. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

A proud Raiders fan shows his appreciation. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

There were of course other fans who still had an endless supply of energy, after the absorbing but exhausting victory for the Raiders over the equally brave Vancouver Giants.

“Go Raiders!!!”, was the shout from one hoarse-throated fan, and he kept shouting that all the way to his vehicle.

“The green way to go theme is Go Raiders Go,” sang another, slightly tunelessly …but who cares?

“What a rush, what a game …you couldn’t ask for a better turnout …the city is going to be pumped …it’s just awesome,” said a delighted member of the green and gold faithful.

There’s nothing like a win of this magnitude to wipe away all the tension fans have suffered over this extraordinary championship series, especially with the Raiders relinquishing a 3-1 series lead before wrapping in up last night.

One fan summed up the sense of ecstasy,elation and relief better than most.

“I went through three-quarters of a bottle of Pepto Bismol between the game Sunday night and tonight.”

How nice to swap the antacid for some champagne, or something stronger perhaps.

Somehow going to work Tuesday morning just became a lot easier.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow