Islanders Excited to Have Fans Return to Games

It's been nearly a full calendar year since the New York Islanders played a game in front of fans, with the last game in front of warm bodies back in March 10, 2020 in Vancouver.
Since then, the Islanders have played 41 games without fans, 23 in the playoff bubbles and another 18 so far this season. The NHL and teams have done all they can to preserve the in-game feel with faux crowd noise, loud music and cardboard cutouts, but even with those measures, there's no recreating the actual feel fans bring.

"There's something about the human spirit, the human emotion that you can't replicate," Head Coach Barry Trotz said. "It's pure joy, it's pure anger, it's pure everything. It's fellowship, it's the events, it's the buzz. I mean, there's nothing that can replicate that."
Those days are close to coming to an end, as the Islanders are taking steps to allow fans to return to Nassau Coliseum for games. Per New York State regulations, 10% capacity were permitted to be at sporting events starting on Feb. 23, with plenty of safety measures in place to keep fans, players and staff safe, as the coronavirus is still omnipresent.

While the State decree officially went into effect on Tuesday, the Islanders are going to welcome Season Ticket Members into the building starting on March 18,
the team announced on Wednesday
, allowing extra time to ensure safety protocols to keep fans safe. For the players on the ice, it'll be a welcome reunion.
"It's exciting, I think everyone is happy it's trending towards that," Brock Nelson said. "Obviously we'd like to have full buildings, but we'll take what we can get. The first time we get it, I think there will be some more energy in the building from the fans, from frontline workers and the team. It's exciting that we finally have a date we can circle for that."
Even with a limited amount of fans, the Islanders are expecting some genuine noise in the building to give them a boost on the ice. Trotz said the players don't get enough credit for being able to raise their emotional level in an empty building. The coach expects the fans to be able to help them keep momentum after goals, rather than have to manufacture it again from scratch.
"It takes a lot from a player to be productive, be ready, willing and all of those things to be a true pro without the excitement the fans bring," Trotz said. "It'll be welcome across the league, not only on the Island, hopefully in small doses to start, it'll add something, some atmosphere and energy to the buildings and the players."
JG Pageau, who made his Islanders debut against the Rangers one year ago, has only gotten a taste of the Coliseum energy, but after seeing how the fans have supported the team from afar, is excited to see that enthusiasm up close again.
"We feel the support even when they're not at the rink, just through social media or through some videos," Pageau said. "But it's nothing like the feeling when they're at the game or when they're cheering for us. We want to play in front of them and do good things."

The Islanders are welcoming in 1,000 Northwell Health staff members on March 11 for a soft opening. This special Healthcare Heroes Night is an opportunity to thank those who have been working over the last year to keep our communities safe and healthy.
"It means a lot," Trotz said of having frontline workers be the first fans back. "Our sacrifice compared to the frontline workers is minimal… Their commitment to save lives, to protect people, the hours, putting themselves in harm's way in a lot of ways to keep other people safe. To me, they're absolute rock stars. It'll be fantastic to see them in the arena. If I could, if it would be allowed, I'd give everyone a hug."
The building won't be full right away and may not be for the foreseeable future, but Wednesday's announcement was an exciting one, for fans and players alike.
"It's exciting for us, and for them that we can see some light at the end of the tunnel here," Pageau said.