"An era ended Wednesday night when an announced attendance of 16,219 showed up at the 18,064-seat Xcel Energy Center, snapping the Wild's lifelong streak of sold-out games at 409. Matt Majka, the team's chief operating officer, blamed the economy as the biggest factor and noted that even though the Blues shelled the Wild 5-1, it was an exhibition game "and we'll get better from here. I know the fans, come Opening Night, will be here." The Wild, who missed the playoffs the past two seasons, "have to get better on the ice and off the ice," Majka said, adding that the economy is not the only reason. "I think that when we put a great product on the ice and treat fans right," he said, "hockey in Minnesota, they'll find a way to be here and they'll be happy to be here as well." Coach Todd Richards was asked if he noticed the empty seats. "You noticed it," he said, "but you know what, the fans here are great fans." The longest string of sellouts in the NHL was 487 games by the Colorado Avalanche. The other streak topping Minnesota's was 452 by the Detroit Red Wings. " http://www.twincities.com/wild/ci_16149903?nclick_check=1
