Here you are, Lewiston. You wanted another hockey team badly enough — you prayed, hoped, wished on a shooting star, crossed your fingers, held your breath — and poof, out of the thin, yet blustery air surrounding a squabble over a lease, you have one.

Whether the Portland Pirates’ move to Lewiston is permanent or temporary should matter little.

To some people, it matters too much. To you: Get the H-E-double-hockey-sticks over it.

Beggars — and make no mistake, after the way the previous team ended its time here in the Twin Cities, you all were beggars in some form — cannot be choosers.

And just like yours truly pontificated in this space last week, if the Pirates really are only here for one year regardless of attendance figures, how this community responds to the team, how the team is received and how the games are attended matters.

American Idol fans, consider this the one time you get to fall on your face in front of the judges and then get a second chance.

It didn’t happen very often on that show, from what I am told, and it certainly isn’t going to happen here.

And before I get labeled a naysayer, make no mistake: From the perspective of a home-grown Lewiston resident, I applaud the fact that we’re getting another crack at proving that professional hockey hasn’t passed us by.

This city and our surrounding communities bleed hockey as much as any around the country. Our ancestors hosted the Montreal Canadiens and competed against them — and won. They sent players to Olympic camps. They have captured 44 Maine high school hockey championships. Some have gone on to successful collegiate and professional careers. If there is any city or town in Maine that, on the face of it, deserves a crack at making this work, it’s this one.

But the community that makes this work will be one that does so together.

A few things to remember, before issuing the bevy of excuses we’re bound to hear about attending games at the Colisee:

• The Pirates are an American Hockey league affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes. The main purpose for the team’s affiliation is to help the Coyotes develop their young talent, to prepare them for playing in the NHL. During this process, the Pirates may see some players come and go, and with those promotions and demotions, the level of play may rise and fall a bit. Don’t think that any of the players on the ice care any less about winning. The hockey operations staff knows what it’s doing. Be patient.

• The players play better with more noise and audience participation. I have been to enough games at the Cumberland County Civic Center to know that the atmosphere at the Colisee is much better, particularly when the fans are into the game. Don’t be afraid to be loud. You’re at the sporting-event-type of church, not the sit-silent-and-pray kind of church.

• It’s not that far away. Really. I’ve been back and forth to Saco three times in the past seven days. It’s not that bad, I promise.

• I’ll bring this back around full circle: The Pirates may or may not be here more than a season. That is still yet to be determined. But for a a city that has for a long time considered itself Maine’s “Hockeytown,” the length of time a team is in town should not deter those who truly enjoy the sport from watching it played at its highest level while they have a chance.

That’s what loving a sport so badly you pray for its return is about.