Islanders fans praise UBS Arena and feel a part of the new home

The lengthy line had formed to enter UBS Arena through the main Great Hall, Islanders fans all waiting in the darkness Saturday to walk into history.

It was shortly before 5 p.m., when they could go inside for the first game at the Islanders’ brand-new $1.1 billion home, a matchup against the Calgary Flames. At the front of the line was a 16-year-old kid from Commack, dressed in his blue No. 6 Ryan Pulock jersey. Dominick Glatz had been there since 3:30.

"I’m emotional, I guess," said Glatz, a Commack High junior who was there with his father, Danny, and a couple of his dad’s friends. "I’m happy. I’m a big fan, Islander fan … since I was 1."

"I think it will start a new era," he added. "It will start new memories with the fans."

Then doors opened, and the fans, so many in their Islanders jerseys, streamed inside.

What does $1.1 billion buy? A rather nice place to take in a game.

"I’m speechless," said Jerry Vasilatos, a 36-year-old account executive from Manhasset, standing in the main concourse after securing an autograph from Islanders legend John Tonelli and posing for a photo with him.

"I don’t know if I’m at an arena or a hotel or a high-end Las Vegas venue."

The longtime Islanders fan, attending with his brother Dennis, is a new season-ticket holder.

"First and foremost, it’s a culmination of a long journey," Jerry said. "There were times where we even thought we were going to be in Kansas. But not only are we in New York, but this is the premier sporting arena, not just hockey.

"And then if you step back, as a New Yorker and just an American, this arena, this project, was built during COVID. What a great way to enter a new era and turn the page as a state as well."

Alexis Morisi stepped into the arena, and the 28-year-old Pre-K teacher from Massapequa felt a sense of togetherness and community.

"It just makes me feel like we really truly are part of the team," she said. "We’re all a family. You don’t see anything about racism, or anything about sex or age. There’s no segregation. We all are together for a common interest, a common love, and we’re all a family."

She grew up in an Islanders-loving family and finally became a season-ticket holder two years ago. Her impressions of the new place? Glowing.

"From what I’ve seen since walking through the doors, it’s absolutely amazing," Morisi said. "It’s so lit up. It’s just beautiful. It feels like home, but it’s still a shock that it’s actually home."

Matt Carr was at this new home about four hours early with his girlfriend, her parents and a friend. The 23-year-old FedEx driver and season-ticket holder from Levittown wanted "to check out the scenery." He really wanted to see how the atmosphere compared to Nassau Coliseum.

"It’s exciting," Carr said. "Nothing’s going to beat that Coliseum atmosphere, but hopefully this can beat it. They’ve got the low ceiling, just like the Coliseum. Hopefully, it’s the Coliseum 2.0."