It Happened at the Coliseum … on NOVEMBER 30th

23 years ago tonight (1991) – Pierre Turgeon recorded the first of his eight hat tricks for the Islanders as the Isles completed the sweep of a home-and-home series as they pounded the Washington Capitals 8-1. Turgeon also added an assist for a four-point game; linemate Steve Thomas had four assists.  The Isles scored five times on nine shots in the middle period and eight times on 23 shots overall.

Pierre Turgeon

Islander coach Al Arbour told Newsday’s Mark Herrmann: "You have to be pretty pleased with the weekend. We held the highest-scoring team in the league to three goals in back-to-back games.”  Arbour was downplaying the other move that he had made – putting Thomas and Turgeon together for the first time.  17 months later the Capitals would not be happy that the Hall of Fame coach had come up with that contribution.

This was the Isles’ only win in a stretch of 11 home games vs. Washington leading up to the 1993 playoffs, when the Isles beat the Caps three times on Coliseum ice.

Also on this date: (1993) – Travis Green had the hat trick as the Isles beat Washington 6-4 in the first meeting of the teams since the previous spring’s playoffs.

All-time, the Isles have played eight November 30th games at the Coliseum and finish with a 2-5-1 record on this date at 1255 Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale.