“Yeah I’m pumped. I’ve heard all the stories about the championship run in 2019 with the milk crates and the building just rocking there in the finals. So I’m really looking forward to it, and I know all the guys in the room are, too.”
Despite it being the most intense, pressure filled time of the season, the atmosphere around Raiders practice and morning skate is light and relaxed.
For Christensen, who has goals in both games to start the finals series, that light atmosphere at practice is a big part of what has helped keep this big moment in his career so enjoyable.
“I think you’ve got to enjoy it. Not too often you get the opportunity to play in the finals. I’m just trying to make the most of it. I know it’s fun to still be playing hockey at this time; it’s something I’ve never done playing in the May. I’m still enjoying it and got to have fun while you’re here.”
That sentiment was echoed by Raiders forward Braeden Cootes, who leads the Raiders in the series with 1G-2A in the first two games.
“Yeah, it’s always good to keep it a little light. When you have time to kind of, in some parts of practice, relax a little bit and have fun and remember that it’s a game and it’s fun. It’s obviously really intense right now, but having fun too is a big part of the success.”
Cootes was traded to the Raiders from the Seattle Thunderbirds earlier this year, one of the close rivals of the Everett Silvertips in their own division. Last year during the playoffs, Cootes’ Thunderbirds were beaten by the Silvertips in six games during the first round, despite Cootes posting 2G-6A-8P.
This year, he’s happy to be getting another crack at them, and he knows his former teammates in Seattle are cheering him on too.
“They’re for sure cheering for us, I know that. Not a question. We lost to them last year in the playoffs, which was tough. That building (Angel of the Winds Arena), we’ve always had a lot of heated games and they’re probably the biggest rival of them. They’re for sure cheering for us and hopefully we can get it done and they’ll be very happy.”
While Cootes does enjoy being the bad guy in Everett, he’s excited for a full week of home cooking for the Raiders as well. He believes that this year’s playoffs are taking place in the two best atmospheres in the league, but he’s happy to have the Art Hauser Centre at his back.
“It’s really exciting. Kind of nice with the 2-3-2 format. We’re pretty privileged for that, have a week at home, but I’ve heard a lot of stories about this rink in the finals, so really excited. It’s kind of like a best of five now with three at home, so I’ll take that any day.”
The Raiders will host three home games this week, all with a different starting time than normal at 7:30 p.m. Each night, you can listen in to the pregame show with Nick Nielsen and Marty Ring on Brandt Raider Radio and 900 CKBI starting at 7 p.m.
Games 3 and 4 are back to back Tuesday and Wednesday, before a day off Thursday, and Game 5 on Friday.
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