Not a surprise, unfortunately. Seems like there was a collision of several factors that created this outcome. Marketing efforts by the team were AWFUL (including signing a broadcast contract with a radio station that no one has heard of or listens to). Unfortunately, the team's on-ice performance out of the gate here in the Quad Cities was less than stellar, this season's improvement aside. However, my fellow Quad Citians get to share the blame. It's been well-documented that a lot of fans still couldn't get over this mythical nostalgia around the Mallards. I think it absolutely absurd, but it's a reality. How any real hockey fan could prefer watching beer-league players over bonafide NHL prospects is beyond me. I'm able to turn on my TV now and watch players I've seen in action, in person, just days before (Kyle Turris, Cal Clutterbuck, Carey Price. Not to mention our guys). Call me nuts, I guess...maybe it's because I was an NHL fan long before the game arrived here.
It's sad because this area should be able to support this level in any sport. If Peoria can do it, we should be able. Maybe we're just destined to be lower-level bush-league...if we can somehow lure another team here at all.
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