By Teena Monteleone

Raider fans applaud valiant effort

Apr 4, 2018 | 8:00 AM

Despite a season-ending loss, fans of the Prince Albert Raiders have a lot to cheer about.

“There is so much promise for the future,” long-time Raider fan Barry Mihilewicz said. “They played amazing down the stretch going through that win streak and taking one of the top teams in the country to game seven … that’s awesome. I am looking forward to next year.”

Mihilewicz was one of roughly 300 die-hard Raider fans who packed the Ches Leach Lounge at the Art Hauser Centre Tuesday night to cheer for the Raiders, a team that hadn’t played a seventh game playoff match since 2005.

“The boys played great and deserve all the credit in the world. They worked hard until the very last second,” fan Marj Davidson said.

The Raiders tied the game with less than five minutes left in the third period, but the celebration was short-lived. The top-seeded Moose Jaw Warriors scored just 30 seconds later and skated to a 5-4 victory. Although the loss was disappointing for the fans, many were already looking forward to next season.

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“I think it’s something they can build on,” long-time Raider fan Jason L’Hereux said. “They’ll come back hungrier next year because of it.”

A nine-game winning streak heading into the playoffs helped fill seats at the Art Hauser Centre. More than 2,800 fans were in attendance during the last playoff home game of the season, and Raiders business manager Mike Scissons said he expects the growing fan support to continue next season.

“We had a hell of a team and there are tremendous building blocks for next year, not just on the ice but in the support of fans in this community,” he said.

Although a disappointing end to the season, fans agreed the Prince Albert Raiders reignited a passion on the ice and in the stands of Hockey Town North. 

teena.monteleone@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TeenaMonteleone