An Important Day in NYI History

In 1975: Ed Westfall presents Philadelphia icon Kate Smith with a bouquet of roses before her performance of “God Bless America,” but the Flyers go on to win Game Seven, 4-1, and eliminate the Islanders in the Stanley Cup Semifinals. Al Arbour salutes his team’s maturity by saying, “If I called a practice next week, every one of them would show up.”

In 1993: David Volek scores at 5:16 of overtime as the Islanders stun the Pittsburgh Penguins, who were the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champions, four games to three in the Patrick Division Final.

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#19

This Date in New York Islanders History -- 1984: The Islanders complete their record-setting 19th consecutive playoff series triumph with a 4-1 victory against the Montreal Canadiens, winning the Wales Conference Finals, four games to two.

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April 24, 2002 -- Shawn Bates

Today, seven years ago, the Islanders were enthralled in the playoff series with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

And Shawn Bates scores on a penalty shot against Curtis Joseph in a Game 4 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Nassau Coliseum. He became the second American-born player, and 13th overall, to score on a penalty shot in the playoffs and the first Islander to do so. The Islanders’ win evens the series at 2-2.

If Bates didn't score on that penalty shot, would that series still have as much meaning or be remembered so fondly?



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Just 2 Years Ago Today

Already receiving help from other teams, the Islanders enter their regular-season finale needing a victory against New Jersey to qualify for the playoffs. They do, winning 3-2 in the shootout after a memorable pokecheck from goaltender Wade Dubielewicz clinches the game.

I was back by the locker room watching the last moments unfold at the Meadowlands with Deb (going then by) Kaufman, Chris Simon and then trainer Graham Black.

I don't know who screamed louder after the pokecheck, Deb or Chris Simon.

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This Day in NYI History

On this day in 1985 Bryan Trottier became the first player in NHL history to get 25 goals in each of his first 10 NHL seasons, when he scored twice as the Islanders won 4-1 over the Penguins, on Long Island.

Trotts was one of a couple of Islanders who have graced the cover of Sports Illustrated. Signed copies of this cover and others are for sale every game night at the Game Night Auction located by Gate 16 on the Coliseum’s concourse.

This day in NYI history

On this day in 1978, Islanders' rookie Mike Bossy recorded the first hat trick of his NHL career as New York won 6-1 over Washington.

The photo to the left was taken by should-be and hopefully one day NHL Hall-of-Fame photographer Bruce Bennett. Bruce lists it as one of his favorite photos that he took.

And no folks, that's not Photoshop. The stick was actually on fire for that shoot.