Nassau Coliseum removes its ice for the last time

Nassau Coliseum, former home of the New York Islanders, removes its ice for the last time. 

Goodbye, Long Island. Hello, Brooklyn.

First it was the Nets, now it’s the Islanders that are taking their talents to the Barclays Center.

Tuesday marked the last time that the ice was removed from the Nassau Coliseum. The Isles tweeted out a photo of workers dismantling the rink to commemorate the milestone.

The Coliseum has been home to the Isles for more than 40 years, housing the team since 1972, the year the Isles were admitted to the NHL. Next season, the team will play at the Barclays Centers, the new arena in Brooklyn that also houses the Nets.

The Islanders’ final game in Nassau Coliseum ended on a positive note, with a game 6 victory over the Washington Capitals. Their season, however, ended with a game 7 loss to the Caps, which officially knocked them out of the NHL playoffs.

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While it’s natural to be sentimental about a venue that housed your team for so many years, it is past time for the Islanders to find a new home. The place was literally falling apart and most fans will admit that. Frankly, the best part of the Coliseum was the Blue Point beer stand and we’re pretty sure they would be able to relocate that. One Blueberry Ale, please.

So, sure, Isle fans are not losing their franchise, its just that their franchise has found a new place to play. Unfortunately, at least for Isles fans that live on Long Island, that home is in an entirely different county – Kings County, Brooklyn. Not to mention a county with a ton of traffic.

There is some hope though, as the Coliseum is set to undergo renovations to make it functional again. Maybe, in the future, it can be haven for hockey again, or at least for Billy Joel.

For some pretty depressing photos of the rink being demolished, click here. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

More from New York Islanders

• NHL Rumors: Legendary Patrice Bergeron retires, which 3 players could be next to hang up their skates?
• New York Islanders Rumors: Isles could lose prospect, Parise’s future in the air, need for youth
• NHL Draft winners and losers 2023: Blackhawks hit jackpot, Maple Leafs flop
• NHL Mock Draft: Connor Bedard No. 1, but who’s next?
• NHL rumors: Calgary in Flames, Kings, Flyers set for big deals, Hall to Chicago

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