Isles 40 in 40 -- #25
In
honor of the Isles 40th anniversary year, I've put together a list of
the Top 40 moments in club history. I'll go through them throughout
the season, bit by bit.
November 13, 1979 -- Double Chili
For nearly 40 years the Islanders and Rangers have been delighting their fans with tremendous games against each other. Moment #28 already dealt with Pierre Turgeon's 50th goal OT'ing the Rangers at Madison Square Garden, and you know that there will be Islander-Ranger playoffs moments to come later in this series.
However, two regular season games that the teams played in 1979 are remembered by fans of both teams as more than regular season games.
The first was played on February 25, 1979 at Madison Square Garden. That night a Denis Potvin hip check inspired a chant that remains three decades later.
After the Islanders would clinch first place overall by winning at Madison Square Garden on the final day of the regular season that April, the Rangers upset the Islanders in a classic playoff series, winning game six on Garden ice. (In some ways, the Isles were lucky to get this series to six games, winning twice in overtime.)
All of that is only background to Moment #25, which would be the first meeting of the teams after that playoff series.
The Islanders struggled out of the gate the following season, and were below .500 (5-6-3) when they entertained the Rangers on November 13th.
That game would produce two words that Islander fans would always remember: Double Chili.
In those days, the Islanders needed six goals to send their fans to Wendy's the next day for Chili.
It didn't start out that way. Steve Vickers scored first for the Rangers, midway through the first but Billy Harris and Bryan Trottier responded to give the Isles the lead later in the session. A Don Maloney goal tied the game heading into the first intermission.
The second period though was all Islanders. Trottier scored three minutes in and when Mike Bossy and Denis Potvin scored 12 seconds apart, the rout was on. Wayne Merrick scored the Chili goal 7 1/2 minutes into the period and by the time the session ended Billy Harris (shorthanded) and Stefan Persson had made it 8-2 in favor of the Isles.
As it so happens, a Wendy's executive was at the game and over the PA came the famed announcement that if the Isles reached 10 goals it would be Double Chili for all. All except Phil Esposito, that is, who made an obscene gesture upon hearing the announcement.
Midway through the third period, Garry Howatt and Denis Potvin scored 2:50 apart, raising the Isles' total to ten, and the Coliseum scoreboard told the story.
A few years ago, a highlights package was put together on youtube. The video quality is actually quite good, considering the age. The highlights are from the MSG broadcast, with the late Jim Gordon and the late Bill Chadwick at the microphones.
Earlier in the 2011-12 season, the Islanders needed seven games to score ten goals. In their 10-5 win over the Rangers on November 13, 1979 they did it in 41:29.
For nearly 40 years the Islanders and Rangers have been delighting their fans with tremendous games against each other. Moment #28 already dealt with Pierre Turgeon's 50th goal OT'ing the Rangers at Madison Square Garden, and you know that there will be Islander-Ranger playoffs moments to come later in this series.
However, two regular season games that the teams played in 1979 are remembered by fans of both teams as more than regular season games.
The first was played on February 25, 1979 at Madison Square Garden. That night a Denis Potvin hip check inspired a chant that remains three decades later.
After the Islanders would clinch first place overall by winning at Madison Square Garden on the final day of the regular season that April, the Rangers upset the Islanders in a classic playoff series, winning game six on Garden ice. (In some ways, the Isles were lucky to get this series to six games, winning twice in overtime.)
All of that is only background to Moment #25, which would be the first meeting of the teams after that playoff series.
The Islanders struggled out of the gate the following season, and were below .500 (5-6-3) when they entertained the Rangers on November 13th.
That game would produce two words that Islander fans would always remember: Double Chili.
In those days, the Islanders needed six goals to send their fans to Wendy's the next day for Chili.
It didn't start out that way. Steve Vickers scored first for the Rangers, midway through the first but Billy Harris and Bryan Trottier responded to give the Isles the lead later in the session. A Don Maloney goal tied the game heading into the first intermission.
The second period though was all Islanders. Trottier scored three minutes in and when Mike Bossy and Denis Potvin scored 12 seconds apart, the rout was on. Wayne Merrick scored the Chili goal 7 1/2 minutes into the period and by the time the session ended Billy Harris (shorthanded) and Stefan Persson had made it 8-2 in favor of the Isles.
As it so happens, a Wendy's executive was at the game and over the PA came the famed announcement that if the Isles reached 10 goals it would be Double Chili for all. All except Phil Esposito, that is, who made an obscene gesture upon hearing the announcement.
Midway through the third period, Garry Howatt and Denis Potvin scored 2:50 apart, raising the Isles' total to ten, and the Coliseum scoreboard told the story.
A few years ago, a highlights package was put together on youtube. The video quality is actually quite good, considering the age. The highlights are from the MSG broadcast, with the late Jim Gordon and the late Bill Chadwick at the microphones.
Earlier in the 2011-12 season, the Islanders needed seven games to score ten goals. In their 10-5 win over the Rangers on November 13, 1979 they did it in 41:29.
Moment #25 needs just two words: Double Chili.
When I think of Double Chili, I also think of Jeffrey Bourne, who was born two days before this game in Syosset Hospital. Bobby missed this game, and this was how his teammates responded. For more on Jeffrey's triumphs, visit here.
Postscript: from longtime Isles' voice Howie Rose: "Don't forget my initiation upon taking the Islander job (in 1995)....Once the deal was done, Barbara took me to the Wendy's on Jericho Turnpike off of Brush Hollow Road for a heaping double bowl of Chili. It's actually much better than Skyline Chili in Cincinnati which somehow has achieved iconic status."
The List to Date:
#25--November 13, 1979 -- Double Chili
#26--April 16-17, 1980 -- Isles Beat (Up) Bruins
#27--January 2, 1986 -- Bossy Fastest to 500
#28--April 2, 1993-- Turgeon's 50th OTs Rangers at MSG
#29--October, 2001 -- Isles Start Laviolette Era 9-0-1-1
#30--November 23, 2009-- Roloson sets franchise record with 58 saves
#31--December 20, 1985 and January 28, 1986--Potvin Passes Orr.. Twice
#33 -- June 26, 2009 -- Islanders Select John Tavares
#34 -- May, 1982-- Bossy leads the Isles to 3rd Stanley Cup
#35 -- January 6,1981 --With Bossy Chasing 50, Tonelli Lights Up the Leafs
#36 -- January 18, 1973 -- Expansion Isles Beat the Champs
#37 -- November 28, 1979 -- Billy Smith is credited with a goal
#38 -- December 23, 1978 -- Trottier re-writes the record book
#39 -- February 11, 2011 -- Isles pound Pens 9-3
#40 -- Summer 2001 -- Isles hire Laviolette, trade for Peca and Yashin, claim Osgood.
March 16, 2010 -- Tavares' 5-point game.
February 13, 2011 -- Grab-Trick.
March 31, 1990 -- Uwe, Uwe.
Like any of these lists, my #2 may be your #20...
Forever1940
is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home
telecasts since 1982. Visit my blog: NYISkinny.com and follow me on
Twitter @ehornick
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