Questions about the future of the Quad City Mallards have lingered all summer.
The head coach left, the ownership group was out of contact, and fans were left wondering again if there would be a hockey season.
Those questions, answered tonight with the team's home opener.
The Mallards opened their home stand off an overtime road win.
Which was unexpected, since the team's season was pushed back by a week.
Practice hadn't been held, and a new owner hadn't been found.
But the Central Hockey League took over ownership.
And the fans are thrilled hockey is back again.
"We used to come to Mallards' games all the time when they first started, I used to bring my son, so I was really excited to come back, she told me she had tickets and I was like yes I can go," says Mikki Harris.
Harris moved back to the area from Florida. She missed the team. And says the Quad Cities wouldn't' be the same without it.
"We are a big sport, we back everybody, down there they don't' have that a whole lot, so it's cool to see everybody in their Mallards gear and the camaraderie that everybody has."
"This community really needs a team and its just great that we can keep real hockey here another year and we're going to try to build some momentum and keep it here long term," says I-Wireless Executive Director Scott Mullen.
Mullen says the future for these fans was in doubt until four days ago. Now with time to find a stable owner, the Mallards can focus on one major goal.
"The first thing we need to do is win."
Winning is important to a sports franchise. It keeps interest, and ticket sales up.
"If we can win, that'll get the corporate sponsors to come back, get the fans back, and it will build on itself but we got to win," says Mullen.
"Action, non stop action, and the fans, you get to be family out here," says season ticket holder Arnold Brewer.
"Enjoy watching the hockey, enjoy watching any fights, it's enjoyable fun, and I just enjoy coming," says season ticket holder Denise Little.
The fans say they will keep coming no matter who owns the team. They just want hockey to stay in the QCA.
"I would miss it, I would miss it a lot," says Harris.
The Mallards history didn't get bumpy until the past couple of years.
The team debuted in the QCA back in 1995.
Trouble began in 2007 when owners decided to pull the plug.
But that same year there was new life, with a new name, the Quad City Flames.
But financial problems forced them out after two seasons.
A group called "Support QC Hockey" was formed.
And in 2009, it was announced the Mallards would return.
And now the Central Hockey League takes control, allowing the team to play until a new owner can be found.
