It Happened at the Coliseum … on FEBRUARY 24th

3 years ago tonight (2012) – PA Parenteau scored two goals and Matt Moulson added a goal and an assist as the Islanders defeated the Rangers 4-3 in a shootout.  

The Isles grabbed a two-goal lead before the game was nine minutes old on goals by Moulson and Parenteau. John Tavares had the front assist on each goal.

After Marc Staal cut the lead to 2-1 with a power play tally, Parenteau responded with a power play tally of his own for his second career two-goal game.  But before the second period ended, goals by Marian Gaborik and Derek Stepan tied the game for the Blueshirts.

Neither team could score in the third period or overtime.  In the shootout Frans Nielsen gave the Isles the lead but Marian Gaborik evened the score.  Neither team scored in the next two rounds, but Moulson gave the Isles the lead in round 4.  Evgeni Nabokov then stopped John Mitchell to earn the victory.

"(The shootout goal was) definitely the icing on the cake," Matt Moulson told Newsday’s Arthur Staple. "This was obviously huge for us."

"It doesn't matter where we are in the standings when we play the Islanders here," Ranger coach John Tortorella told Newsday’s Steve  Zipay. "It's always a crazy game. I'm happy we battled back, but as far as where we are mentally in some stages of the game, we need to be sharper."

The Isles improved to 5-1 all-time in shootouts against the Rangers; the only Ranger win came the night Rick DiPietro held the Rangers to 1 goal on 57 shots in regulation/overtime (3/5/2007) at The Garden. 

Casey Cizikas played 11:33 in his NHL debut.

Here are the highlights with Howie and Butch.

Also on this date: (2004) – Rick DiPietro made 28 saves in the final scoreless tie in Islander history.  Felix Potvin made 33 saves for Boston.

All-time, the Isles have played eight February 24th games at the Coliseum and have compiled a 5-1-2 record on this date at 1255 Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale.  The ninth and final February 24th home game is tonight –as the Isles host Arizona at 7:00. Make sure you’re there, because after tonight, there are only 11 regular season games remaining.