Islanders in Brooklyn? It's still sinking in
The perception of the Islanders being chronic underachievers changed forever when Bobby Nystrom converted John Tonelli's cross-ice feed at 7:11 of OT, earning the Islanders their first Stanley Cup title. Credit: Newsday / David L. Pokress
As an Islanders fan since 1975, my reaction upon hearing of their move to Brooklyn was relief. For many years, rumors were that the team would move to Kansas City or Saskatchewan or some remote outpost.
As the final season at Nassau Coliseum would down, however, I became increasingly melancholy. Although a long ride, I will hop on the train from Sayville to get to Barclays Center next season. The Stanley Cup banners will hang from the rafters along with the retired player numbers. The team has indicated it will keep the name and the logo, at least for now.
But it won't be the same.
Barclays is only 30 miles west of the Coliseum, but much farther in perception. Despite geographical and historical references, Brooklyn is not Long Island. This team belonged to the suburbs. It was cool that in newspaper accounts, Uniondale appeared right along with New York, Chicago, Montreal and Los Angeles. This was Long Island's link to the big leagues, and it gave us a sports identity that the Mets, Yankees, Jets and Giants couldn't. Now that identity will be in Brooklyn.
It won't be the same.
The 12 years I had season tickets at the Coliseum included two Stanley Cup seasons, 1982 and 1983. I witnessed the iron will of Bob Nystrom, the all-around greatness of Bryan Trottier, the unparalleled scoring ability of Mike Bossy and the steady greatness of Denis Potvin. There was the toughness of Clark Gillies and the non-stop hustle of John Tonelli, my favorite Islander. And who could forget the take-no-prisoners attitude of goaltender Billy Smith?
I recall the night the Islanders beat Edmonton to sweep the Stanley Cup finals in 1983. Trottier, usually so stoic, skated around the rink pumping his arms, exhorting the crowd.
I remember Mike Bossy scoring his 50th goal in the Islanders' 50th game in 1981, and Tonelli preserving the dynasty with two late goals, including the overtime winner in an incredible elimination game against Pittsburgh in 1982.
Games against the Rangers were happenings, especially between rival fans in the stands. And who could possibly forget Nystrom's goal at 7 minutes, 11 seconds of overtime against the Flyers in 1980 to win Long Island's first Stanley Cup? I've always felt that 7-Eleven stores missed a marketing opportunity on Long Island after that.
Until this year, the team hadn't been good for a long time, because of lousy management and mediocre players. But there were still some great players, including Pat LaFontaine, Pierre Turgeon, Zigmund Pálffy and, of course, today's star, John Tavares. But Tavares and his mates will play at Barclays next season.
The Nassau Coliseum will be renovated for the circus, ice shows and whatever else they deem entertainment. As far as I'm concerned, the arena will cease to exist. I want to remember the old barn the way it was. My son thinks the Islanders will return someday. Ah, the optimism of youth.
I will always be an Islanders fan, and perhaps they will hoist a Stanley Cup in Brooklyn. It would make me happy ... but it just won't be the same.
Reader Jerry Giammatteo lives in Sayville.
