Raiders reach new atmospheric heights!

Raider Hockey is back!

The atmosphere in the Art Hauser Centre the past two games against Saskatoon rivals – it’s the fever pitch last seen during the Raiders playoff run to game 7 of the Eastern final in 2005. It was loud, raucous and infectious, and clearly lit a fire under the players who beat the second ranked team in the CHL soundly in two straight games.

The confined confines of the Art Hauser Centre is a recipe for noise.

Every Raider player you talk to says stepping out on to the ice to the deafening cheers of 3,000 fans sends shivers down your spine and can be intimidating to the visitors, which is home ice advantage personified.

The majority of the crowd is over the age of majority who wet their whistles throughout the night, which not only fattens the coffers of the Molson corporation, they provide a big time boost to the Raiders bottom line.

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The question persists – where were the extra 1,000 plus fans during the regular season? The answer is simple – young adults are tending to their normal priorities like kids hockey, soccer, karate, piano or whatever. The number of entertainment choices have also increased greatly since to so called “good old days.” Meanwhile, hockey fans can catch a game or two or three on the tube just about any night of the week.

In addition to that, there was the sentiment of some who said such things as “this team is no good anyway, even if they make the playoffs Saskatoon will blow them out in four.” Those blowhard bastions of negativity have been proven wrong, because this is junior hockey and anything is possible, especially if you work hard and are well prepared mentally and physically.

Will this new found excitement, which has been a long time coming because of three straight years out of the post season mean more bums in the seats next season? Probably and rightfully so.

Instead of bashing those who are now supporting the team when its playing its best and most entertaining hockey on the biggest stage in four years, why not just say thanks and hope to see you again more often next season.

dwilson@rawlco.com