WORCESTER — It would seem, at first glance, that the expansion Railers are doing just fine in their inaugural ECHL season.

Their attendance is 10th best in the 27-team league — best by far in the Northern Division — and their record was a game above .500 through 27 games. People are walking around the city wearing Railers stocking caps and sweatshirts, and owner Cliff Rucker gets asked for his autograph.

Good, but not perfect, and the Railers are an organization that would like to win 73 out of 72 games every year.

“We’re in the middle of doing our internal midseason grades,” team president Mike Myers said, “but as far as a snapshot goes, we’re delighted at the response. Our goal is to fill the building every night, so I wouldn’t be honest if I said we’re not disappointed on the nights when we get lighter crowds, but some of that is out of our control.

“After every game, we grade ourselves on how we did, where we might improve, see if there’s a way we can get three percent better next time.”

Rucker had hoped that when the season finally started, he could step away from the dollars-and-cents part of the game and become a fan.

“That transition has taken place,” he said, “and I owe a lot to Mike Myers and the staff for allowing that to happen. What I didn’t expect is how invested I am in the outcome of each and every game. Between being at games, watching on TV, listening to the radio, looking at the computer, I have not missed one minute of one game.”

Rucker, in Florida with family over the holiday break, is going through a hockey withdrawal.

“It’s very hard being away,” he said. “I was thinking about flying back for the games this weekend, but when I tried to figure out how to do it, it just wasn’t practical.”

As the team grades itself internally, its fan base is giving the Railers high marks.

“They are hitting on all cylinders,” booster club president Rich Lundin said. “It really feels like Worcester’s team. When was the last time you saw a Shark in Worcester? It’s our own brand, not NHL hand-me-downs. It’s a lot like the Bravehearts with that family feeling.”

During the Sharks’ last season in town, two years ago, booster club membership was 99, Lundin said. It is at 260 this year.

One possible issue that has not turned out to be an issue is the difference in the level of play between the American Hockey League and the ECHL.

“That was my biggest fear, from day one,” Myers said. “What would an AHL city of 20 years, what would they think of an ECHL team? So I saw a few games last year, and when anybody asked, I’d say, ‘Be ready for perhaps more wide-open hockey, and it might even be better. And that’s what we’ve seen.

“Opening Night was one of the most exciting games ever played in Worcester. The AHL has become a JV league for the NHL, and it puts development first. Here there is less system play, and the guys are very creative, very good hockey players who are allowed to make mistakes, but make neat plays, also. It can be a coaches’ nightmare, but it’s great to watch.”

“What I see," Lundin said, “is hockey that’s a little more wide open with a few more mistakes, but that makes it more exciting for the fans. I have not heard one complaint about the level of play dropping off at all.”

The Railers are two weeks away from an 11-game homestand, one that Myers is hoping will boost attendance even higher, thanks to several new teams coming to the DCU Center — Wheeling, Quad City, Florida and South Carolina.

The team also has begun preliminary planning for next season’s schedule, one that should include an old AHL friend and rival, Portland.

“We think it will make a huge difference cost-wise,” Myers said, “and we’ll see a better variety of teams, teams that can come up and stay in New England for a week or more. We will try to avoid as many of those midweek ‘dog’ dates as possible. They’re inevitable, but we don’t want to have as many.”

Merchandising and corporate support has been strong, Myers said, adding that the Railers team shop in the new Worcester Ice Center is doing well.

Rucker may be pleased, but he is not necessarily satisfied.

“Always looking to improve,” he said. “I’m hard-wired that way. If we have a crowd of 6,000, then I want it to be 7,000.”

Going 73-0-0 in a 72-game season is out of the question for this season, but if the Railers can be perfection-plus a year from, even Rucker might concede that there is no more room for improvement.

—Contact Bill Ballou at william.ballou@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @BillBallouTG.