Islanders superfan completes quest of visiting all NHL arenas
A diehard Islanders fan made it his mission to visit all 33 NHL venues across the U.S. and Canada, not only to fulfill a personal quest, but also to become a de facto tour guide for other travelers.
Will Chiarucci, an Isles season ticket holder who sits with the 'Blue and Orange Army' superfans, began his continental quest about a decade ago after leaving a relationship with a woman who had little interest in attending any sporting event.
'I just basically said, 'I'm not wasting my life anymore just by staying at home,' ' Chiarucci, of Bellmore, told The Post.
With the encouragement of fellow Blue and Orange Army commander Tom LoFaso, Chiarucci embarked on his travels over the past seven years, ranking all of the arenas as he went.
Coming in dead last is the Ottawa Senators' home, Canadian Tire Centre, which Chiarucci ripped for being in the middle of nowhere, a lack of easy walkability inside the venue and for simply feeling like a place trapped in the 1990s.
Other bottom feeders he includes for similar reasons are Buffalo's KeyBank Center, Carolina's Lenovo Center, Vancouver's Rogers Arena, Washington's Capital One Arena and Toronto's Scotiabank Arena.
Chiarucci calls the latter, the Maple Leafs' home ice, 'the MSG of Canada.'
Islanders superfan Will Chiarucci has been to all 33 NHL arenas.
Will Chiarucci
As for the real Madison Square Garden, he places it in the middle of the pack, and criticized its prices and packed-like-sardines seating.
The Islanders' state-of-the-art UBS Arena ranks fourth on the list — behind only Edmonton's Rogers Place, Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena and Detroit's Little Caesars Arena.
Those stadiums, all newly built, exude a modern vibe and fan friendliness, which Chiarucci loves.
Islanders superfan Will Chiarucci attends a Jets game in Winnipeg.
Will Chiarucci
He also urges hockey fanatics to see the Calgary Flames in action at The Saddledome and the Montreal Canadiens at the raucous Bell Centre, and added that the Columbus Blue Jackets' home, Nationwide Arena, is a hidden gem.
The Long Island Ducks are ready for a three-game home series against the Lancaster Stormers on Friday through Sunday.
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A fireworks extravaganza follows Saturday's 7 p.m. game.
The Hamptons Youth Triathlon will take place Saturday morning at Sag Harbor's Foster Memorial Beach at 7:30.
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