The Islanders agreed "to move back to Nassau Coliseum
if an NHL-orchestrated inspection deems the arena safe,"
according to Marc Berman of the N.Y. POST. The NHL has
hired Dessan-Soprin, a Montreal-based firm that built the
Molson Centre, to perform the inspection today. Nassau
County will also have an engineering firm on hand (N.Y.
POST, 9/24). On Long Island, Frank & Hadrick report that NY
State Supreme Court Judge Burton Joseph ordered the safety
inspection of the Coliseum, but "differing interpretations
of the decision could force all sides back in to court again
today." The "scope of the inspection remains unclear," as
arena manager SMG says it needs "only a limited checkup" and
the team says it needs "a broader inspection." The team's
first home exhibition game is scheduled for tomorrow, and it
is "unclear" whether the game will be played at the Coliseum
if inspectors find the arena safe. SMG will ask Judge
Joseph to order the team to play at the Coliseum tomorrow
(NEWSDAY, 9/24). Joseph will decide tomorrow "if the
temporary restraining order he signed last week forcing the
Islanders to play their games in the Coliseum will become
permanent" (Anthony McCarron, N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 9/24).
