It Happened at the Coliseum … on DECEMBER 11th

35 years ago tonight (1979) – Rookie Duane Sutter scored twice and fellow rookie Anders Kallur scored a spectacular shorthanded goal and added an assist as the Isles pounded the 4-time defending Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens 4-1.

Billy Smith made 30 saves as the Isles improved to 10-13-4 on the season as the Islanders held Canadien star Guy Lafleur pointless for the first time in 16 games.

Sutter’s goals gave him five goals and eight assists in his first seven NHL games while Kallur’s shorty had his teammates marveling at his skills. “The guys on the bench went crazy.  What a moved Anders put on that goalie”, said John Tonelli (to Newsday’s Tim Moriarty). Bob Lorimer, who had seen that move in practice, added “As soon as Anders shifted that puck, I knew he’d score. … He can make you look foolish.”

Another Islander actually scored a fifth goal – a fan named Tony Giardina of Wantagh became the third fan in 12 games to win a car in the Isles’ SCORE-O promotion.

Anders Kallur recalls that 1980 team in a 2006 piece authored by Chris Botta

Also on this date: (1982) – It was a big night for the Sutter brothers as they combined for two goals and five assists in a 7-1 trouncing of New Jersey.

All-time, the Isles have played nine December 11th games at the Coliseum and finish with a 6-2-1 record on this date at 1255 Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale.