December 12, 2010, Atlanta Thrashers vs. New York Islanders game story for the New York Daily News
Quebec Nordiques fans descend on Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum for Islanders loss to Thrashers
BY Denis Gorman
SPECIAL TO THE NEWS
Originally Published:Saturday, December 11th 2010, 10:09 PM
Updated: Sunday, December 12th 2010, 2:23 AM
The scene outside the Nassau Coliseum Saturday night was surreal.
Eleven hundred Quebec Nordiques fans stood outside the Coliseum, most holding signs and clad in the ubiquitous powder blue jerseys, and alternated between blowing air horns and chanting "Nordiques Nation."
The group was in Uniondale to show the NHL that Quebec deserves a new franchise and, as organizer Vincent Cauchon said, "express our love of hockey."
They witnessed the Islanders' 19th loss in 20 games, a 5-4 decision to Atlanta. The Islanders own the NHL's worst record (5-17-5). Bryan Little's short-handed goal to make it 4-3 was the game-winner. Little wristed a shot past Rick DiPietro (30 saves) off an offensive-zone faceoff with 8:25 left.
The Thrashers' center speculated that DiPietro "wasn't paying attention. . . . I've tried it before but you need to have a bit of luck to get it through sometimes. It's hard. I kind of caught them off guard."
Explained DiPietro: "I had my head down, getting set. When I lifted my head, the puck was in the net."
The underwhelming game benefitted from the atmosphere created by the French-Canadians in attendance. Even with the chanting and cheering troupe, the announced attendance was only 10,056.
Cauchon told reporters that the trip to this game was two years in the making. A sports-talk radio host at CHOI-FM in Quebec, Cauchon said that the local and provincial support for a new rink was the determining factor to make the trek from Quebec City.
"We thought the momentum was good now because of everything that's gone on in Quebec City recently with Mayor (Regis) Labeaume. He wants to build a new Coliseum," Cauchon said.
Before the game, Islanders GM Garth Snow attempted to spin the invasion of Quebecois as a positive. He dismissed any concerns that what transpired would become commonplace. Along with Quebec City, there has been speculation that Winnipeg and Hamilton are interested in acquiring NHL franchises.
The Nordiques left to become the Colorado Avalanche before the 1995-96 season.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/2010/12/11/2010-12-11_quebec_nordiques_fans_descend_on_nassau_veterans_memorial_coliseum_for_islanders.html
posted by Denis P. Gorman at 11:09 AM
<< Home