Sportsnet broadcast.

from Nicholas J. Cotsonika of NHL.com,

Sally Wolfert and Jimmie Lister had been here from the beginning.

Each had attended the first home game Oct. 10, 1996, when the team was known as the Phoenix Coyotes and played at America West Arena. Each had been a season-ticket holder for 27 seasons, sticking with the team through so much on and off the ice.

Now they were standing at center ice for the ceremonial face-off before the Arizona Coyotes 5-2 win against the Edmonton Oilers at Mullett Arena on Wednesday, expecting this to be the last NHL game in Arizona for at least a few years.

It was awesome to be out there between Coyotes forward Clayton Keller and Oilers center Connor McDavid. It was awful.

I am sad, Wolfert said. I am on the verge of tears, because its like a death in the family. Theres a loss. Something else will fill those evenings. But its like an end of something, and its always sad when something ends.

Amid multiple ownership groups, arenas, arena proposals and even a bankruptcy, the NHL has felt Arizona could be a good hockey market. All it needs is the right arena in the right place.

The Coyotes finished their second season at Mullett Arena, a 4,600-seat rink at Arizona State University intended to be a temporary home while they built a permanent one. Owner Alex Meruelo plans to bid on a piece of land in Phoenix this summer. But at best, a new arena is a few years away, and Utah wants a team.

The fans came to say farewell.

continued

27 years too long. 

A nice take by Todd. It's sad, but had to b done. I guess. 😲