N.Y. Islanders: Play First Game At The Flatbush Avenue Ice Palace

From the desk of:  BROOKLYN'S FOSTER HOCKEY CLUB

"New York Islanders of Brooklyn"

Playing Musical Chairs At The Flatbush Avenue Ice Palace

I won't be rooting for them.  But welcome to the Brooklyn renaissance anyway.  Recently, with no particular promotional blitz to speak of (unlike the Nets grand entrance into the borough - not yet at least...) the New York Islanders held their first ever practice at Barclays.

In two more years, the Islanders will begin playing their home games in Brooklyn, with a small hand full to be played back in Nassau County.  At least that's the tentative plan.  Barclays Center was initially built without considerations for hosting hockey.  Why? - I do not know, but NHL Hockey is coming nonetheless.

Saturday night, the Islanders "hosted" the Devils in what was for all intent and purpose the first professional hockey game in Kings County.  The Devils won by a 3-0 final score.  But that's neither here nor there.  It is pre-season after all , and there are a great many issues to discuss other than the game itself.

Seating capacity drops from over 18,000 for basketball, to what is being reported as anywhere from 14,500 to 16,500 (rounded) once Barclays Center is reconfigured for ice.  Then of those seats, numerous seats on the Flatbush Avenue end of the arena will be obstructed view, if not unavailable.  The main seating arrangement will follow a comparatively unconventional u-shape configuration.  The most recent official number puts capacity for hockey at 15,813 with perhaps 100 to 300 more being arranged.  Over 14,600 fans showed up at the new Flatbush Avenue Ice Palace last night.

On a very local level, I don't know what the club's plans are, and I have no insight, but it would seem the team would have a perfect practice facility on the south end of Flatbush Avenue at Floyd Bennett Field's Aviator Sport Complex.  No?  And while I'm at it, perhaps the Islanders coming to Brooklyn could somehow lend itself to bringing another minor league club, a la the Brooklyn Aces and Brooklyn Aviators in recent years, back to Aviator Complex as well.  I miss those guys.




Mike.BTB

NY Aviators Win In Brooklyn's Home Ice Opener

ART OF THE HOME ICE OPENER:

Broome County Barons

vs.

NEW YORK AVIATORS

As/of - November 12, 2010

Aviator Sports Center

BROOKLYN

Arrive at 6:25 p.m.

Scout out a good place to sit. 

Section 8 is right next to the player's entrance, the press box, and is near center ice.

Reach in pocket; take out money;

Buy reasonably priced ticket to Opening Night.

Secure a game program at the front desk.

Then stop and admire the Aviator Sports Center Trophy Case.

Take a picture of Brooklyn's

2009 NEPHL CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY

On the way to your seat, stop and say hello to

ACE

By then it will be time for pre-game introductions..

...and for you to rise and take off your hats for

the singing of our National Anthem.

Finally, time to drop the puck.

After a little of this and a little of that..

..the Barons jumped out to an early lead.

They took that lead into the locker room with them after the first period,

but not before THIS!

For you Zamboni Buffs out there..., here you are;

A Zamboni.

He did a good job, didn't he?

The AVIATORS came out for the Second Period...,

...kicked things up a couple of notches...,

..and started putting up their own numbers on the scoreboard.

Then, there was another one of THESE!

Once that was settled they played some more hockey.

And the Second Period ended with the Aviators leading 3-2.

During the Second Intermission,

we were entertained by The Human Slingshot.

The Aviators started the Third Period ahead 3-2.

But then, the game was delayed as the Refs had to make quick repairs

to the ice surface.

Which resulted in a whole lot of this..

..and this.

Once the ice was patched-up and play resumed, the Aviators scored two more times

increasing their lead 5-2.

The remaining time wound down and

The New York Aviators won their Brooklyn Home Ice Opener.

These guys are,

"The Coolest Guys in Brooklyn"

Then it got quiet and we all went home happy.

End.

Mike.BTB