It Happened at the Coliseum … on FEBRUARY 17th

23 years ago tonight (1992) – Tom Fitzgerald scored at 2:55 of overtime as the Isles rallied from a 3-1 deficit and defeated the Winnipeg Jets 5-4 in a President’s Day matinee.

Fitzgerald was the Isles first pick in 1986 (17th overall)

Trailing 3-1 after 40 minutes, the Isles rallied to take a 4-3 lead in the third period on goals by Benoit Hogue, Hubie McDonough and Steve Thomas.  Pierre Turgeon assisted on both Hogue’s and Thomas’ tallies, as he became the first Islander since Mike Bossy (19 in 1983-84) to have a point streak of at least 16 games.

However, Ray Ferraro was called for holding with 2:11 to play and Thomas Steen tied the game just over a minute later.  The Isles survived a penalty assessed to Tom Kurvers at 19:40 of the third period before Fitzpatrick beat Bob Essensa on a breakaway for the winning goal.

Fitzpatrick told Newsday’s Mark Herrmann: “"My eyes just lit up and there was nobody near me.  I didn't even see Ray (Ferraro). I was just thinking net, net, net."

With the win, the Isles improved to 7-2-1 in their last 10 games.  "I don't think ties are any good for us, for what we have to do," Arbour said. "We just opened all barrels. That's a pretty good effort, coming back against a club that checks as well as anybody in the league. Once they get you down, they don't like to give you anything."

Also on this date: (1983) – Mike Bossy, Denis Potvin and Bryan Trottier each had three points as the Isles defeated Pittsburgh 4-1.

All-time, the Isles have played eleven February 17th games at the Coliseum and finish with a 4-7-0 record on this date at 1255 Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale.