It Happened at the Coliseum … on JANUARY 20th

1 year ago today (2014) – Kyle Okposo recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick, and then he did something Howe never had a chance to do. Okposo scored the deciding goal in the shootout as the Isles rallied from 1-0 and 3-1 deficits to defeat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3.

Trailing 3-1 after 40 minutes, the Isles dominated the third period and got goals from Brock Nelson and Okposo to force overtime. 

Okposo fought with Philadelphia’s Brayden Coburn in the first period; it was the first regular season fight of his career.

The win lifted the Isles within 5 points of the final playoff spot as they improved to 7-3-0 in 2014 and are 11-5-0 in their last 16 games.  

Matt Read had two goals for the Flyers, giving him six goals on the season against the Isles (including three empty-netters).

Okposo, in the middle of his most successful NHL season, said after the game: “"We gave some up in the second period, but I thought we controlled the game for the most part. It was a bit of a seesaw battle, but we came out in the third and I thought we played hard and took it to them and were able to find a way."

Okposo also earned praise from Jack Capuano, who noted “(Okposo is) a leader of our team. He's going to do what it takes to win…You've got to play hard and you have to play physical. I thought he did that (today), and I thought guys rallied around him."

Here are the game highlights, with Howie and Butch.
 

Also on this date: (1981) – The Calgary Flames managed to keep Mike Bossy off the scoreboard, leaving him with 48 goals in 48 games, but could not manage any offense of their own.  Chico Resch blanked Calgary 5-0; another future broadcaster named Butch Goring scored the winning goal.

All-time, the Isles have played seven January 20h games at the Coliseum and finish with a 3-4-0 record on this date at 1255 Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale.