It Happened at the Coliseum … on JANUARY 28th

17 years ago tonight (1998) – Zigmund Palffy recorded his fifth career hat trick (and final hat at the Coliseum) as the Isles blasted the Flyers 6-1.

Palffy was the most popular Islander of the Fisherman Era

Palffy, who also had an assist, recorded his four points against Flyers starting goalie Garth Snow, who played the first two periods before being replaced by Ron Hextall.

Palffy got the Isles going with a goal just 70 seconds into play, then added power play goals at 15:57 of the first period and 15:12 of the second.

Bryan Smolinski had three assists for the Isles, who also got goals from Kenny Jonsson, Tom Chorske and Travis Green.

The win was only the second in the last 17 games for the Isles (2-13-2) and their first at the Coliseum since December 17^th.

"It doesn't matter who scores," Palffy told Newsday’s Jim Smith. "Everybody has to step up. Next game maybe it's going to be somebody else. I don't care how many goals I'm going to score. I just want to win the games."

Tommy Salo was not as busy as the penalty box attendants, as he made only 22 saves.  

The teams combined for 131 penalty minutes, including 115 in the third period.  All but 40 minutes were against the frustrated Flyers, as the Isles earned a split of a home-and-home series.

Here's a promo from that season:



Here's more on the game from the NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/29/sports/hockey-hat-trick-by-palffy-is-the-icing-on-a-rout.html

Also on this date: (1986) – Mikko Makela tied a club rookie record with five points as the Isles crush Toronto 9-2.  Mike Bossy and Duane Sutter each had four assists, but the most memorable moment was Denis Potvin's as he passed Bobby Orr's NHL-record with his 916th point.

All-time, the Isles have played nine January 28th games at the Coliseum and finish with a 5-3-1 record on this date at 1255 Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale.