It Happened at the Coliseum … on MARCH 20th

31 years ago tonight (1984) – John Tonelli and Bryan Trottier each scored two goals as the Isles defeated New Jersey 5-2.

Trottier had given the Isles a 1-0 first period lead, but Don Lever tied it for New Jersey before the period was over. Tonelli scored his two goals in a 2:35 span early in the second period to give the Isles a 3-1 lead.

Glenn Merkosky scored an unassisted goal for the Devils to make it 3-2 through 40 minutes, but Greg Gilbert set up Trottier’s second tally and then scored his own (on the power play) for the final margin.

Both Trottier and Gilbert finished with three points but it was Mike Bossy, who had four assists, who emerged as the game’s leading point gatherer.

Billy Smith recorded the victory; former mate Chico Resch took the loss.  (You can see the highlights of this game, with CBS-2's Warner Wolf, at about 2:30 of this video.  (It's the third of the 4 games highlighted)

Also on this date: (1973) - The Isles defeated California 6-3, setting a then-franchise record in the process.  The win, which improved the Isles’ first season record to 11-58-5, was their second straight, marking the first time they had won consecutive games.

EASTERN DIVISION
	W-L-T	Pts
Montreal	47-9-16	110
Boston	47-20-5	99
NY Rangers	46-19-7	99
Detroit	35-25-11	81
Buffalo	34-25-13	81
Toronto	25-37-9	59
Vancouver	21-43-8	50
NY Islanders	11-58-5	27

All-time, the Isles have played five March 20th games at the Coliseum and finish with a 3-1-1 record on this date at 1255 Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale.