It Happened at the Coliseum … on MARCH 30th

22 years ago tonight (1993) – Pierre Turgeon broke a 1-1 tie midway through the third period as the Islanders defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 and moved into 4^th place (the final playoff spot) in the Patrick Division.

Kevin Dineen and Benoit Hogue had traded first period goals, setting the stage for Turgeon’s 49^th goal of the season.  Turgeon banked his power play game winner off the skate of Flyers goalie Dominic Roussel, and admitted to the NY Times’ Joe Lapointe: “I like to play pool once in a while.”  Steve Thomas noted: “That’s why we call him Sneaky Pete.  He’s a heck of a pool player.”

Heck of a hockey player too.

The win, the Isles’ 7^th in nine games with the Flyers that season, gave the Isles 78 points, and a one point lead over the Rangers. 

Patrick Division	W-L-T	Pts
Pittsburgh	50-21-6	106
Washington	39-30-7	85
New Jersey	38-32-6	82
NY Islanders	36-33-6	78
NY Rangers	33-31-11	77
Philadelphia	28-36-11	67

Both the Isles and Rangers had nine games to play, but it was the first of those games that would help shape the season—the Good Friday Islander overtime win three nights later on Pierre Turgeon’s 50^th goal of the season.

The Isles would eventually win this banner -- it would hang in the Coliseum for only one season.

Click here for the story as to why the banner no longer hangs at the Coliseum


Here's the overtime from the Isles-Rangers game three nights later from the Garden.  I worked with Jiggs/Eddie that night, but all I could find is the Ranger call with Sam and JD.

Also on this date: (1991) – Tom Fitzgerald and Hubie McDonough each scored twice as the Isles ended the home campaign with a 5-3 win over Boston.  It would have been hard to believe at the time, but it was Pat LaFontaine’s final Coliseum tilt as an Islander.

All-time, the Isles have played four March 30th games at the Coliseum and finish with a 2-2-0 record on this date at 1255 Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale.