Islanders Lose Ruling in Nassau Coliseum Dispute

The New York Islanders were ordered to return to the Nassau Coliseum after a judge in Mineola, N.Y., ruled the arena was safe to play in.

State Supreme Court Judge Burton Joseph granted Nassau County’s request for a preliminary injunction preventing the team from playing home games at any location other than the Coliseum.

The team moved out of the arena earlier this month and filed a $10-million federal lawsuit against SMG--formerly the Spectacor Management Group--claiming the arena was a danger to fans and players. That suit has not been resolved.

The ruling came after an independent engineering inspection of the 26-year-old arena, paid for by the NHL, deemed the building safe.

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Saku Koivu reported to the Montreal Canadiens training camp to begin earning his new three-year, $10.3 million contract.

Linemate Shayne Corson also was back.

Corson, 32, was talked into ending his holdout by Coach Alain Vigneault last week, but he may bolt if the Canadiens do not sweeten the $1.145 million owed him in each of the final two years of his contract.

Corson wants $2.5 million for each of the next two years plus $3.5 million the third year.