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.