LEWISTON – Two months before the first game is played, a growing number of local people are dreaming of ice hockey.

The Lewiston Maineiacs have already sold 1,350 season tickets for their upcoming year, more than twice the number sold before the start of last year’s inaugural season.

“Last year, we sold a myth,” said Matt McKnight, vice president and governor of the Lewiston Maineiacs. “Now, people have seen our product.”

It’s welcome news for the team, which lost “a pile of money” in its first season, McKnight said. Strong season-ticket sales could be the foundation to a profitable second year, potentially drawing an average of 2,500 to 3,000 people to the Colisee per game.

“If that happens, we’re not going to be bleeding money anymore,” McKnight said.

More filled seats means a healthier relationship between the city and the team. The Maineiacs’ agreement with Lewiston calls for a minimum attendance that averages 2,500 people per game.

If attendance falls below that number, the franchise can leave, according to its contract.

Ticket sales could also be a sign of growing revenue for the arena, which the city took over this past winter. Though a percentage of sales go to the team, concessions and merchandise sales pump money into the arena.

“It definitely helps all of us,” said Wayne Thornton, the Colisee’s general manager.

The push to increase the numbers began months ago. McKnight hired full-time staffers for promotions and sales. Every season-ticket holder was contacted.

“We have, like, 99 percent renewals,” said McKnight. “We really didn’t lose anybody.”

Meanwhile, the team has begun its sales drive, talking with area employers and signing up people to buy tickets through payroll deductions.

“We are hitting the streets,” McKnight said. “We’re going door to door, business to business.”

McKnight hopes to sell no fewer than 1,500 season tickets.

“We have a very realistic shot at 1,800,” he said. “Unless you buy a season ticket, you may be sitting in the bleachers.”

The team may also be helped by squabbles within the National Hockey League. Many are forecasting a lockout as players and team owners negotiate.

When the NHL went through a lockout in 1994, attendance to games in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, to which the Maineiacs belong, went up 20 percent, McKnight said.

Some people say the NHL may not play at all this season.

“It may be a good thing for us,” McKnight said. “But it’s not good for the game of hockey.”