Islanders Excited for Increased Capacity at Coliseum

Barry Trotz has never been shy about mobilizing New York Islanders fans, encouraging them to tailgate, get loud and bring the noise to Nassau Coliseum.
At this point, the Islanders Head Coach doesn't really need to say much, but with 12,000 fans returning to rock the old barn for Game 3 against the Bruins, a quick pre-game pep talk can't hurt.

"I think they know, bring it, we're going to need them," Trotz said. "We're going need every one of them just to get through this because we're playing a very good hockey team. We want to do it for the area, for our fan base, for ourselves as an organization."

The Islanders credited the energy in the Coliseum for helping key a 4-1 win in Game 4 against Pittsburgh, as well as a multiple-comeback effort in the Game 6 clincher vs the Penguins. Those crowds featured 6,800 and 9,000 fans respectively, so they're expecting an even rowdier Coliseum when the puck drops on Thursday and Saturday.
"It's going to be loud," Scott Mayfield said. "We know the energy the fans bring and the rink bring. It's a loud rink. Boston was fun playing in front of a packed crowd and we expect the same tonight. It's going to be loud. We're excited."
The Islanders were able to return home from Boston with a split, weathering the storm at a very hostile TD Garden, which opened up to 17,400 fans. It was a jungle, but that didn't faze the Islanders, who were able to quiet the crowd with Casey Cizikas' OT winner in Game 2. After four rainy and gray days in enemy territory, a return to Long Island and a packed Nassau Coliseum will be welcomed - even with some wet and gray weather on the Island.

The Coliseum will be at 12,000 capacity for the remainder of the Islanders-Bruins season, which feels fitting for the building's last playoff run, given that UBS Arena on the horizon for next season. A lot of the longtime Islanders, as well as the fans, are looking to make a few more memories on Hempstead Turnpike.
"The Coliseum is a special place because so many people have a connection to back in the glory days when they won four straight," Brock Nelson said. "The teams and players that have come through here, there's lots of history and it's a pretty unique building the way it's set up and where it is. Lots of strong connections to the area, the community and all the players that are able to play here, guys love playing here with a full rink and should be a good one tonight."