August 1, 2011 – this could have been us. We have the best damn arena in all of hockey, a passionate fan base, best broadcast team in hockey and all of that could have been gone.
Listening to the Arizona broadcasters try and hold it together. Watching the fans, staff, and cheerleaders crying in the stands. Opened old wounds. I remember being a kid and just crying when I heard the vote failed. I didn’t know what it meant. I didn’t live on Long Island. It wasn’t popular to be an Islanders fan. I didn’t even know another Islanders fan.
A lot has changed in the almost 13 years since then. Highs, lows, anger, heartbreak and the purest joy one can feel through sports. Communities have grown throughout the world just to watch the New York fucking Islanders.
I hope we made Charles Wang proud. Now, let’s go win the Cup for the fucking Island.
by MJSeals
9 Comments
There but by the grace of God go we
Sadly the team just wasn’t supported by Arizona like they were here. Only thing that’s odd is why Utah? They have even less people and a big problem getting people to see the jazz which is a much bigger sport
I so feel for the players, families, staff, and fans. It 100% could have been the fate of the Islanders. Charles Wang is a hero for this team. He really deserves a statue outside of the arena in his honor.
I love UBS arena but at times I wonder how great it would have been to still be at a fully renovated and modern Coliseum. If they ever tear it down I’m taking a piece of it!
Was hockey big in Arizona? I can’t see it. Yea it sucks but we as a franchise had the Dynasty years which also saved our bacon from leaving. Cause sorry to burst anyone’s bubble had we not had the run of 4 of 5 cups we would have been gone a long time ago. So yes thanks to Charles Wang but a big thanks to those Isles dynasty teams as well.
UBS is a great arena. Live Isles games are great.
Charles Wang may not have been a great owner on the hockey side but without him there is no Malkin/Ledecky, no UBS, no Lou, no Barry, etc
Said it before and will say it again. Wang deserves a banner in the rafters for helping save the team.
I made some jokes over the last couple years about the Coyotes and it definitely needed to happen but I really feel for the fans. As most of us have said this very easily could have been us but Charles Wang was a savior and needs to FOREVER be remembered.