Fansided

New York Islanders: Barclays Center Light Delay Was Embarrassing

By Matt O'Leary |
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 12: A fan uses his cell phone to illuminate the scene during a power outage during the game between the New York Islanders and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Barclays Center on December 12, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 12: A fan uses his cell phone to illuminate the scene during a power outage during the game between the New York Islanders and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Barclays Center on December 12, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Last night there was a 16-minute delay in the Vegas Golden Knights vs New York Islanders game because the lights wouldn’t turn back on.

So far this year the New York Islanders have played two games at the Nassau Coliseum. Both games were a sellout, the crowd was into and overall the experience was great for fans. The same can not be said about last night at the Barclays Center.

In last night’s contest, the game had to be delayed for 16 minutes before the third period because the lights wouldn’t turn back on.

Sometimes in other sports games get canceled due to rain, or snow, or something out of human control but in most cases when you play in a building with a roof it’s almost impossible to have a delay or cancellation, well not yesterday.

Players were forced to stand around and do absolutely nothing while the Barclays Center staff tried to figure out what went wrong with the lights.

I want to give credit to Brendan Burke, Butch Goring, and AJ Mleczko who did a great job during the delay. It’s not easy to fill time, but it’s something that’s necessary when you’re live trying to kill time. As the legendary local broadcaster Mike Quick once said: “You always need some BS in your back pocket.”

As for the players and the team though it’s an embarrassment. Thomas Hickey was very upset after the game when asked about it:

He wasn’t the only one, even Anthony Beauvillier said “Stuff” happens (although he didn’t use the word stuff). Keep in mind Beau’s first language isn’t English so he probably didn’t know you’re not allowed to say that on TV.

This is just another reason on the laundry list of reasons why playing at the Barclays Center doesn’t make sense. Not only do the Isles play a split home schedule but in one building they can’t even figure out the lights!

Losses Prove The Isles Lack Talent. Next

If this doesn’t make the Isles play their full schedule at the Nassau Coliseum next year I’m not sure what will. Regardless, last night was embarrassing and not just because the Islanders blew a game they should’ve won.

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