I was recently involved in a concert involving a old rock band that brought out the "trekkies" of rock fans, and it was amusing to see both the reactions of the fans who's only Brooklyn experiences were from "Welcome back Kotter", and the locals plying these yokels with fake t-shirts, etc. This arena has definitely transformed the area, all for the better (except Hanson's Deli, going the some downward spiral of Maxie's).
The band lasted longer than I thought they would, and went up to 11pm and into the extras they have scheduled. Fortunately they had 10 cars and so could handle a crush load. It would've been worse if the crowd was more experienced and had jumped on the first one out to catch a ride to Jamaica, there was a lot of folks hanging out on an empty platform. Don't know why they did that, unless the signs were posted for a Ronky connection. The RR did a good job, they had a TM and several ushers shouting at the crowd as they got into Brooklyn when the last train was, and the same crew was doing their best to steer the stoned middle-aged rock fans in the right direction. Hope they get these guys some help for the bigger games, and they may have to get "Boardy Barn" (lots and lots of PD) tough when they start having Isles/Ranger games in a few years.
As the area does get more "hip" they should really reconsider a full schedule back into Atlantic Terminal. I can remember how I felt when the yuppies took over Montauk and ruined the place (good indication when they painted over the "Die yuppie scum" on the side of the carvel), so I can see why some of the locals have resentment over the gentrification of what was once a nice run-down gritty neighborhood. But it's definitely here, and when they have both hockey and B-Ball, it will definitely be busy down there. It's more than what was just a short cut to get to Wall Street for LI commuters...
I too will miss seeing the Fishsticks play in Nassau Masoleum, but don't see why they won't continue to have other events there, at least in the next few years. Especially with SMG in the background stuck with the place in the near future, so I can see them trying to push the soccer, lacrosse and concerts until Nassau comes up with a viable plan (bwahahaha) to do something else. I remember taking a first date to a Circus and seeing one of the elephants get Montezuma's down on the floor, and laughing myself out of a second date until the smell crept up the stands, and just nearly killed everyone present. Definitely straightened out her perm, and then I was still smelling that the rest of the hockey season... Won't miss that at all...
