It Happened at the Coliseum … on DECEMBER 22nd

7 years ago tonight (2007) – Richard Park scored his only career (regular season) overtime goal at the 3:43 mark as the Isles defeated Washington 3-2.

"This gives us a great feeling going into the holiday. It will make the food and everything taste better," said Park, who scored his sixth goal of the season. "The last two games have been good for us. A different guy has stepped up for us."

Miroslav Satan had opened the scoring with his 666^th career point (think about it) and when Bill Guerin scored with 2:06 to play it looked like the Islanders would earn a regulation victory.

However, as he has done on so many occasions at the Coliseum, Alex Ovechkin spoiled that plan as he tied the game with 54.8 seconds to play and send the game into extra time.

Rick DiPietro needed to make only 14 saves to earn the victory as the Isles beat the Caps in overtime for the first time in 13 years.

"I think Richard Park's been our most underrated player the past couple of years," coach Ted Nolan told Newsday’s Erik Boland. "He does everything."

Park's most important game as an Islander had come about 8 1/2 months earlier, when his two goals helped the Islanders defeat the Devils to qualify for the playoffs. That game was the final regular season game played at Continental Airlines Arena, so it doesn't technically qualify for this series. However, with some editorial license, enjoy the highlights here:

Park scored a more famous overtime goal in the 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs with Minnesota.
http://video.wild.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=16273


More from the Isles website here:
http://islanders.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2007020519

Before the game, Islander VP of media relations Chris Botta was honored by the team:

Also on this date: (1983) – The Isles set a franchise record (since tied) with three shorthanded goals as they defeated Washington 6-1.  John Tonelli, Butch Goring and Anders Kallur turned the trick for the Isles.

All-time, the Isles have played eleven December 22nd games at the Coliseum and finish with a 6-4-1 record on this date at 1255 Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale.