Islanders fan Bob Ceparano is "organizing a protest
rally" through his Web site www.Islanders@ONElist.com,
against the team's owners, Nassau County and SMG, according
to Barry Baum of the N.Y. POST, who reported that Ceparano
will "be accompanying" over 60 "equally furious" fans to the
Penguins-Islanders game on February 12 and will be seated in
section 332. Ceparano said that the fans will "voice their
displeasure with angry chants directed at" co-Owners Ed and
Howard Milstein, as well as Steven Gluckstern, SMG and
Nassau County exec Tom Gulotta. Baum: "They will also hold
up signs, which they will try to sneak past security."
Ceparano: "We're trying to keep this clean. ... I've
instructed them that nobody curses and nobody throws
anything." More Ceparano: "The goal is to try and put some
pressure on the owners, the county and SMG to reach
agreement [for a sale of the team] that is beneficial to the
Islanders and the fans" (N.Y. POST, 1/24).
WHO NEEDS TICKETS? In Edmonton, Dick Chubey reports on
the Islanders' attendance woes and notes despite selling out
Nassau County Coliseum for each of three visits by the
Rangers, the Isles have attracted "less than 10,000 for 17
of 25 home games." Four times, the team "hasn't exceeded
7,000" (EDMONTON SUN, 1/25)
