Alexa Ray Joel to sing at Islanders' 1st game

Alexa Ray Joel will sing the national anthem at the New York Islanders' inaugural game Friday in the NHL team's new home at Brooklyn's Barclays Center, Newsday contributor Frank Lovece reports. The team additionally announced yesterday that she will become the first artist to play the venue's new Billboard Lounge. "I'm so happy and honored to be singing the national anthem to kick off the hockey season!" Joel, 29, daughter of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Billy Joel, said in a statement. "It's all about representing the home-team (Go Islanders!) and, of course, New York Pride. . . . It's important to show strength and character when you sing this song, especially when representing New Yorkers. . . . We're pretty tough!"