It Happened at the Coliseum … on FEBRUARY 8th

12 years ago tonight (2003) – Garth Snow made 28 saves and Oleg Kvasha scored the winning goal midway through the third period as the Isles beat Buffalo 3-1.

Garth Snow, in his final NHL season (2005-06)

Former Islander Tim Connolly gave the Sabres a 1-0 lead just 3:45 into play and that lead held into the third period.

The Islanders finally solved Ryan Miller at 1:35 of the third period with an Arron Asham goal that ended a scoreless streak that had reached 153:49.  Kvasha’s winner came 7:07 later.   Shawn Bates iced the game with a shorthanded empty net tally; it was Bates’ league-leading 5^th shorthanded goal.

The win gave the Islanders consecutive victories over Buffalo for the first time since 1996 and moved the Isles into 7th place in the East

"We needed this game (over the last place Sabres)," coach Peter Laviolette told Newsday’s Alan Hahn. "We've got to keep putting wins in the column and collecting points. It's getting too tight."

I don't have any video from this game, but here's Garth Snow's famous fight with the Sabres, from a 1997 playoffs game.  Rick Jeanneret & Jim Lorintz have the call on Sabres TV.

Also on this date: (1977) – Bryan Trottier scored a goal and added two assists while Chico Resch made 25 saves as the Isles defeated Los Angeles 4-1.

Also on this date: (1983) - The Coliseum hosted the NHL All-Star Game for the only time. Wayne Gretzky scored 4 goals in the third period to lead the Campbell Conference to the win.

Here's an 80-minute video of the game. Jim Robson and Mickey Redmond are on the CBC call.  Robson, the long-time voice of the Canucks, was also behind the CBC microphones for Bobby Nystrom's Cup-winning goal.

All-time, the Isles have played eight February 8th games at the Coliseum and finish with a 4-4-0 record on this date at 1255 Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale.