The Life of an International NY Islanders Die-Hard: Australia

As we've covered NY Islanders diehards from across the world, fandom clearly has no boundaries and distance is only a number. This time, we put distance to the ultimate test as we've spoke with an Islanders fan nearly as far as possible from UBS Arena, down under in Australia. Over the years, Islanders fans have embraced the saying "We're All Islanders." While Long Island may be the island, Miranda Patterson is an islander of her own, just from far far away.

Off the south coast of mainland Australia lies Tasmania, an island of 541,000 people, 10,321 miles from Elmont, and where we may think of as home to the Tasmanian Devil. But Patterson, who runs @nyiaussiemeetup on Twitter (X) and @nyiaustraliameetups on Instagram, has become an avid follower of the Isles. While we typically point out the negative side of social media, it can also become an enormously helpful tool and connect people from all walks of life.

"Social media has been a major push for increasing my connectivity to the team and getting to know our legacy and the other side of the players outside of such an intense sport," said Patterson. "This can include the goofiness that is captured on camera between the guys to the raw emotions after heartbreaking defeats, both in the regular season and playoffs."

Patterson has become comfortable with some well-known Islanders accounts who have embraced her fandom and were able to bring her closer to the game.

"As I got chatting, I owe a huge credit to the following Isles supporters and legends @IslesGirl3 and @islesmeetupSD," said Patterson. "They embraced me online, chatted, replied to my own tweets and game-ready setups (even the overnight ones), and made me feel so included even though I was on the other side of the world, so much so that @islesmeetupSD and I often do the good ol' traditional - 'Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi' chant before the game over Twitter."