Longtime Raptors fan from P.E.I. reflects on Game 2 experience

Islanders may have stayed up Sunday night to watch the Toronto Raptors take on the Golden State Warriors Brett Poirier was one of those Islanders, except his seats were better.

The Charlottetown real estate broker has been a fan since Grade 4 when he saw his first Raptors game, so it's no surprise Poirierdid everything he could to be at Game 2 of theNBAFinals in Toronto.

"It was an incredible experience," Poiriertold Island Morning host Mitch Cormier.

No stranger to the game

Poirieris no stranger to basketball he was a play-by-play broadcaster for the Island Storm for two seasons, then he was the team's director of marketing and worked his way up to become the organization's vice president.

He's been to Raptors games before butsaid this time, the atmosphere was different celebrities in the audience included former U.S. president Barack Obama.

I was just in awe of everything. Brett Poirier

Poiriertook a risk purchasing his ticket before the game was officially confirmed, he said.

"I got my ticket through a former season ticket holder, I guess, who had first dibs at tickets."

Poirier said he felt lucky to get a ticket for about $1,000.

"I told myself I would never spend money like that on a single-game event, and here you are in the finals. And I paid that for a 300-section ticket, which is kind of crazy when you think about it."

'Atmosphere was ridiculous'

Poiriersaid he doesn't feel like he overpaid sincesome people around him forked over $1,500 for a seat at Scotiabank Arena in the lower level of the upper bowl.

"The atmosphere was ridiculous in there," he said enthusiastically.

Poiriergot to downtown Toronto at 2 p.m.Sunday and said there were thousands of Raptor fans having tailgate parties, whilefanslined up for kilometres.

"The vibe was great lots walking around with jerseys and hats all that stuff.

"I was just in awe of everything."

Raptors lose

Unfortunately forPoirier and other Raptors fans,the team came up short against the Warriors, losing 109 to 104.

"The first half was amazing, there was so much intensity on the Raptors part," Poiriersaid.

"That third-quarter run by the Warriors just kind of knocked us out."

Poirier said he hopes the team can come back witha win in Game 3, but said he believes justhaving a Canadian team in the finals does a lot for the sport.

"It has brought so much awareness and attention to the game and it is good for everyone."

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