TOLEDO, Ohio — Fans of the Toledo Walleye may still be disappointed that their team was eliminated from the Kelly Cup Playoffs just a few days ago.
But that is not stopping them from being grateful for another win-filled season.
"We fell short," said Juliann Flag, a fan at the team's end-of-season event at Hensville Park Thursday afternoon. "I know that's not what anyone wanted, but only one team can move on and this year it wasn't us."
The Walleye held an event for fans to come and meet the team, sign autographs and more.
It is the type of event that makes players feel a personal connection in the kind of relationship they have with their fanbase.
"Every game they show up and they make you feel a part of the community, so I think that's why you see so many players stay and play in Toledo," said forward Sam Craggs.
First-year fan Brittany Taggart said her initial experience with the Walleye was one she will not forget for a long time.
"This year was wild," she said. "I grew up going back from the sports arena over there on the Toledo Storm, so it was wild this year. It was a pretty good show."
Being a first-year with the Walleye was also true for forward Brandon Kruse. He joined the team after spending a year with the Newfoundland Growlers and says that Toledo provides first-class hospitality.
"Getting to experience it first-hand this year, living so close to home too, it's actually unbelievable," he said. "You don't really know what it is until you're a part of it, and their support means everything. You genuinely feel like you're playing professional hockey the way you get treated around here and every day was just a blessing."
Fans still want a championship, though. It didn't happen this year, but they are optimistic about the future.
"Just keep doing what they're doing," said fan Brandon Cooke. "You keep knocking on this door, it's going to open one of these years, and just got to be patient."
How does the team say it will happen? Keeping a similar identity.
"I think this group was right there. We didn't have the opportunity to accomplish everything we wanted, so we just want to make sure we put together a group that has that same look next year," said head coach Pat Mikesch.