A History of Professional Hockey in Minnesota: From the North Stars to the Wild Mugs © Star Tribune Photographer LEILA

© Star Tribune Photographer LEILA NAVIDI

The comet streaked across the sky over Wolf Lake in Brimson

setting the highest sell-out streak for an expansion franchise

The extravaganza

glowing over the east end of downtown before it opened this summer

A History of Professional Hockey in Minnesota: From the North Stars to the Wild Mugs © Star Tribune Photographer LEILAThough the well loved Stars made the playoffs seventeen times, including two Stanley Cup Finals appearances, they never achieved ultimate success. Their loyal fan base watched in anguish as the franchise merged with another, divided in two and relocated to Dallas. In 1997, the Twin Cities' sports market was awarded an expansion franchise. Named the Minnesota Wild, the team sold out 409 consecutive games, setting the highest sell out streak for an