It Happened at the Coliseum … on FEBRUARY 22nd

38 years ago tonight (1977) – Dave Lewis scored with 2:40 to play as the Isles avoided an embarrassing defeat with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

The Isles dominated the entire game, but trailed 1-0 into the third period on a goal by the Rockies’ Danny Gruen just 3:25 into play.

Garry Howatt tied the game at 5:29 of the third and the Isles kept pouring it on from there, finally beating Michel Plasse for the winning goal.

The Isles outshot Colorado 51-13, including 25-3 in the third period.  The 25 shots on goal set a club record (since beaten).

Denis Potvin recorded his 200^th career assist on a rare goal by the defensive-minded Lewis.  Lewis told Newsday’s Pat Calabria “My wife said, “Score a Goal.” And she didn’t say anything else. Not even goodbye.”  Lewis’ slapshot through a screen made him an obedient husband, and pleased his wife, who was overdue with their first child at the time.

Also on this date: (2007) – Randy Robitaille scored the only goal of the shootout as the Islanders rallied from a 2-0 deficit on a pair of Trent Hunter goals for a 3-2 win over Toronto.

Howie Rose and Billy Jaffe have the highlights:


All-time, the Isles have played seven February 22^nd games at the Coliseum and have compiled a 6-0-1 record on this date at 1255 Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale.  The 8th and final February 22nd home game is tonight –as the Isles host Vancouver at 6:00. The biggest Islander fan I know, my son Evan, will celebrate his 15^th birthday, watching his team play in Nassau County, NY,  just 15 minutes from his home.

Make sure you’re there too, because after tonight, there are only 12 regular season games remaining.