I live in New Jersey, so I can't vote in the Areener Referendum on August 1st.  But I can and will attend this year's Blue and White Scrimmage on Saturday, July 16th.  This may be the closest thing to a "Save the Team" game I'll ever get to attend.  Let's try and sell it out.  Only $10.00 per ticket.  I'd would love for the hockey media to have to post photos of a full - or nearly full - Nassau Coliseum on a Saturday night in July to see prospects.  Flame away, haters on the blogs!

I don't know how many of you were in attendance earlier this year when the Nordiques fans invaded the Coliseum.  I was there that night.  In one respect, it was pretty impressive.  Fans who lost their team coming a long way to demonstrate their passion to get a team back.  With about five minutes left in the game, all of those Nordiques jersey-wearing fans moved down into the lower bowl at the end of the ice where the Isles shoot.  On an ensuing power play with the Isles needing a goal to close the gap to one goal (I think, or tie) there were awesomely loud and French-accented "Let's Go Islanders" chants.  Team inspired! Power play goal!

On the other hand, the invasion was a little depressing.  Left me kinda wishing that there were more actual Islanders fans at these games.  Make no mistake.  I'm not criticizing lack of support.  The Milbury circus inflicted serious long-term damage on the fan base from which the team has still not recovered.  Attendance only started to turn around towards the end of the year, but you wonder how much of that was the result of heavy discounts.

So if you're around and can afford it, let's see if we can't try and fill the building in July.  And no, this is not a paid commercial endorsement.  Just a fan concerned about the long term prospects of this franchise on LI.