It Happened at the Coliseum … on JANUARY 8th

30 years ago tonight (1985) – Bryan Trottier scored a shorthanded goal early and an empty-net goal late, as the Islanders defeated Montreal 3-1.  Trottier’s first goal was the front-half of a pair of Islander goals 1:58 apart; Tomas Jonsson had the second tally.

Montreal outshot the Isles 22-9 over the final 40 minutes but Mats Naslund’s second period tally was the only one against Kelly Hrudey, who finished with 30 saves.

 It was the first game the Isles had played in nearly five years without Butch Goring in the organization.  Goring had been claimed on waivers by the Bruins earlier in the day.  Butch told the NY Times: ''I thought I could still play here.  After four cups in five years, you'd hope it could end on a Hollywood set, really. But that's the way hockey goes.''

Goring post-script:  Four months later, Goring was named Head Coach of the Boston Bruins by their General Manager Harry Sinden.  Goring's assistant coach: Mike Milbury.

I don't have any video from this game, so how about video of Tomas Jonsson's biggest goal as an Islander -- It had come about 9 months earlier, in the classic game 5 of the Islander-Ranger playoff series.

Also on this date: (1980) - Chico Resch made 32 saves for his 20th career shutout as the Isles blanked Vancouver 3-0.  With the victory, the eventual Stanley Cup champions got back to .500 with a 16-16-6.

All-time, the Isles have played ten January 8th games at the Coliseum and finish with a 5-5-0 record on this date at 1255 Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale.