It Happened at the Coliseum … on NOVEMBER 23rd

13 years ago tonight (2001) – Chris Osgood made 24 saves and Eric Cairns scored the winning goal as the Islanders delighted a Black Friday crowd with a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. The win pushed the Islanders back into first place in the Atlantic Division, one point ahead of the second place Rangers.

Osgood (undated)

Shawn Bates gave the Isles a first period lead, but Mats Sundin tied it early in the second.  Cairns’ winning goal  midway through the second period was credited as unassisted after deflecting in off former Islander Bryan McCabe; Michael Peca scored unassisted in the third as the Isles improved to 14-5-2-1 on the season.

Also on this date: (1982) -- Neal Broten and Steve Payne each had hat tricks for the Minnesota North Stars, but even that was not enough to defeat the Islanders, as the teams played a wild 8-8 tie.

All-time, the Isles have played seven November 23rd games at the Coliseum and finish with a 1-2-4 record on this date at 1255 Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale.