It Happened at the Coliseum … on JANUARY 31st

11 years ago tonight (2004) - Jason Blake scored two goals, the second one into an empty net as the Islanders scored three goals In the third period and defeated the Florida Panthers 4-2.

Jason Blake (undated)

Radek Martinek and Trent Hunter scored the other goals for the Islanders.  Hunter’s goal was the 19th of his rookie season, which was the most since David Volek scored 25 goals in 1988-89.

The game turned when Florida’a Stephen Weiss limped off the ice after an unpenalized knee-on-knee collision with Oleg Kvasha; the Isles outscored Florida 3-0 and outshot them 14-6 the rest of the way. Weiss would miss the next 5 ½ weeks.

It was the first time in 32 games, dating back to February 8, 2003 that the Isles had rallied to win after trailing through 40 minutes (0-27-4-0).

Garth Snow made 26 saves to snap a personal six-game winless streak (0-4-2).  Former Islander Roberto Luongo took the loss.

The Islanders improved to 11-2-1-0 in their last fourteen home games, representing their best 14-game home stretch since 1986.  The win pushed the Isles 10 games over .500 on Coliseum ice for the first time since ending the 1987-88 season with a 24-10-6 record on Coliseum ice.

Here's the recap from nhl.com: 

http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2003020781

The Isles would end that season with 55 points at home, and it would take until this past December 20^th for the Isles to go 10 games over .500 at home at any point of any season since.

The Isles would not win another home game in regulation that they trailed after two periods until 2007.

Also on this date: (1987) – Pat Flatley scored two goals and added an assist while Brent Sutter chipped in with two assists as the Isles defeated Hartford 4-2.

All-time, the Isles have played seven January 31st games at the Coliseum and finish with a 5-1-1 record on this date at 1255 Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale.