Islanders Fans Trying To Take History, Swipe Seats From Nassau Coliseum

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The New York Islanders still have games to play at Nassau Coliseum, but that's not stopping fans from swiping seats from the team's soon-to-be abandoned home.

While the Isles are attempting to make more history at the only home they have ever known for 43 years, some fans are trying to take history, helping themselves to at least a dozen seats, cushions, seat backs and whole seats just pried right out of their frames, CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff reported Tuesday.

Chris Kerwin, a sports photographer for WRC-TV in Washington, claimed on Twitter that some Islanders fans walked out of Sunday's Game 3 against the Capitals with the unique souvenirs, not paying any mind to the next ticket-holders.

Fans chalked the thievery up to playoff fever -- the Islanders lead the series 2-1 -- amplified by the timing of the end of the team's era in Nassau County. The Isles are relocating to Brooklyn's Barclays Center -- which has seat issues of its own -- next season.

"If security didn't warn me not to do it, I want mine, because I've had my season tickets for seven years," one fan said.

"This is the last year at the Coliseum, we are New Yorkers, what do you expect?" another fan added.

Game 4 was set for Tuesday night at the Coliseum, but would the pricey playoff tickets have actual seats? Coliseum management told Gusoff it was making the needed repairs. Earlier, it appeared that the Isles had come up with a temporary solution to the problem:

Meanwhile, Islanders coach Jack Capuano and star center John Tavares said they wanted fans to spend most of their time on their feet Tuesday night.

"I hope they continue to be as loud and vocal as possible because for us that's the energy we need," Capuano said.

"They support this team better than any base, the passion they have, the loyalty," Tavares added.

While fans are celebrating -- and in many cases, mourning -- the end of the Islanders' run in Uniondale, others have been souring the sendoff. A group of Capitals fans claimed they suffered verbal abuse, threats and vehicular vandalism while attending Game 3, prompting a statement from the franchise.

Coliseum management told CBS2 it will beef up security Tuesday night and going forward, not only to protect the seats, but people, too.

Forest City Ratner, the Coliseum's new owner, said no decision has been made yet on whether or not the seats will be made available to fans for purchase once the arena closes for renovations.