“People talk about the building and the conversation is always the Coliseum, the Coliseum, but it’s really like more the people who fill the place up, and the energy they can muster up,” Clutterbuck said. “Just there’s a genuine feeling of honesty in the building, I think it reflects the fanbase and population really well. As a player, you can feel it. There are a lot of buildings are loud, but this one has a different sort of tone to it. We really love it and we’re looking forward to that sound being transported a couple miles down the road next year.”
The Islanders are looking ahead to UBS Arena, which Trotz said will be the “grandest” building in the league next season – and a source of energy as the team ramps back up from a short offseason.
There will surely be new memories made in the new building and the Islanders hope to fill it with as many banners as the dynasty Islanders hung up at the Coliseum. On Sunday, as the team decompressed after a deep postseason run, there was a pause to say thanks to the old barn for rocking once more in the playoffs, beer chugs, beer cans, OT winners, series clinchers, songs sung and all. The Coliseum deserved it all. Clutterbuck summed it up.
“What a way for them to go out.”