I can't really offer too much more than has already been written, and written well, by so many including Newsday's Art Staple. For those off Island, Newsday even has a 44-page special section on the Islanders and their history here on Long Island. There are four (count 'em FOUR) articles in the sports section on the Isles home opener last night and only two on the NY Rangers 5-2 loss to the Blue Jackets.

Mark your calendars. This may never happen again. But the wins for the Isles certainly will.

While it is far more important for the team to garner as many points as possible this October, yesterday was about the fans, the barn and making memories. If you were there, you know. If you read Staple's article, you'll know.

Staple was out and about in the crowd yesterday afternoon chatting with fans under tents and around bar-b-ques. One group even brought a medium sized chiminea to keep them warm as this home opener was more like hockey weather than the previous 85-degree days of the past.

Butch Goring drove through the parking lot in his jeep like a cowboy, stopping to say "hello" and "thank you" to the faithful. We were able to take a photo with him, something I could never do with a press pass on.

No, this time I sat up in the rafters in section 340, very close to the door I usually come out of from the press box. I had no idea there were TVs up there on the wall that hangs down. But they weren't necessary as there really isn't a bad seat in that place. There are no obstructed views, no having to sit sideways corners. Every inch is built for hockey. And it is glorious.

The stairs to the upper decks are freshly painted with hand rails, which I was thankful for. The seats are spaced apart enough so that you can get by others if they stand. They are tighter at Barclays and the steps are far steeper.

When the lights dimmed and Captain John Tavares appeared on the jumbotron, the crowd lit up the arena with their phones, it was spectacular. The roof shook as the crowd chanted. It's a feeling I will cherish.

Josh Bailey's goal seemed like a miracle and he was rewarded for it by the crowd. Bailey, whom fans have been riding for a long time, needed that spark to boost his confidence level. I'm hoping he can continue from here on in.

Matt Martin ended up with nine penalty minutes and only two hits leaving Conacher and Clutterbuck to pick up the slack with four each. Once again, Boychuk lead in TOI with 23:55. Griffin Rheinhart's only chart stat for the evening was one giveaway while Conacher, who was the only minus player on Friday ended with a goal and 15:57 of ice time.

It was a win the fans and the team deserved. Let's look forward to more of these as the season progresses.

Here are the negatives I have that have nothing to do with the team on the ice:

There was nothing planned outside the Coliseum for the first time in I don't know when. No bands, no bouncy things, no port-a-sans -- nothing. The lines for concessions were long and arduous, do I made my way downstairs where the wait is usually less. I did find it interesting that a Pretzel, okay a braided pretzel, was $7.00 while French Fries were $6.50 and a hot dog was $6.25.

HOW IS FLOUR AND WATER WITH SALT THAT IS HEATED BY A LIGHT BULB MORE MONEY THAN FRENCH FRIES? REALLY?

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