It Happened at the Coliseum … on NOVEMBER 1st

37 years ago tonight (1977) – Goran Hogosta got into a box score, but that was not the story.  Bryan Trottier became the first Islander to score four goals in a game, and Mike Bossy tied an Islander rookie record with five points (1-4-5) as the Islanders pounded Atlanta 9-0 at the Coliseum.

With the game well out of reach, Hogosta replaced Billy Smith with 8:35 to play and saw his only action as an Islander.  Smith, according to newspaper accounts, suggested to Al Arbour that he let Hogosta play; the result was a combined shutout, which according to NHL rules gets credited to the team but not a player.

While short, Hogosta's appearance was historic as he became the first European-trained goaltender to appear in an NHL game, setting the stage for other Europeans such as Dominik Hasek, Nikolai Khabibulin and Antti Nieti to lead their teams to the Stanley Cup.

Goran Hogosta

Clark Gillies tried to explain Trottier’s exploits: “He was, uh, let’s see,..a superstar.”

In October 2001, Trottier's number 19 was retired by the Islanders

It was the first 9-0 win in club history, and matched the club record for most one-sided victory (which still stands today).  The win also put the Isles all alone into first place in the Patrick Division.

Also on this date: (2005) – Shawn Bates scored late in overtime for a 4-3 win over Boston; (2007) – Rick DiPietro made 28 saves in a 4-0 win over Tampa Bay.

All-time, the Isles have played twelve November 1st games at the Coliseum and finish with a 8-3-1 record on this date at 1255 Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale.