A paltry 3,136 fans braved the elements to watch the Islanders beat the Canadiens 4-1 at Nassau Coliseum on Sunday, the team’s third consecutive win. The game went on as scheduled after the Islanders’ request for a postponement of the game due to the wintry conditions in Long Island was denied by the NHL. Suck on that, National Football League. This is how a professional sports league should conduct its business as it pertains to dealing with issues related to inclement weather. The NHL sort of, not really but kind of rules!

“The most important thing for us is to ensure that roads are passable for public safety,” Walker said. “We asked Nassau County residents to stay home unless it was an emergency. To have people out of their homes at 7 p.m. didn’t feel prudent at this time. [Campbell] said he understood the issues and would have to discuss the situation with .”

Traditionally, the league decides to postpone a game based on the recommendation of the home team, but it decided otherwise this time.

Although the league declined to comment for this story, it is believed the ruling was based upon the fact that both teams arrived safely and were available to play and because no state of emergency was declared for Nassau County. “Both teams are here, officials are here and that’s why we’re playing,” Islanders director of communication Kimber Auerbach said. [via]

Damn straight. If people want to risk their safety by traveling in blizzard conditions just to watch a terrible team playing in a decrepit, crumbling arena, let them! I might be in the minority here, but this story clearly illustrates how the NFL had it all wrong and why the Vikings should have played those two “home” games at the Metrodome instead of at Ford Field and TCF Bank Stadium. Imagine the unique fan experience that would have entailed. Once again, the NHL shows how it’s done. Whoo!