It Happened at the Coliseum … on APRIL 15th

32 years ago tonight (1983) – Duane Sutter never scored a regular season hat trick for the Isles, but he did get one in the playoffs, and it led the Isles to a 5-0 victory over the Rangers in game 2 of the Patrick Division Finals.

After John Tonelli got the scoring started just 54 seconds into the game, Duane scored twice in the first period as the Isles grabbed a 3-0 lead through 20 minutes.

Both goals in the second period were Sutter tallies as well, but brother Brent prevented Duane from earning a natural hat trick with a goal at 8:02.  Duane recorded the hat trick at 16:56 and fittingly Brent earned an assist.

Bob Bourne recorded three assists for the Isles, who grabbed a 2-0 lead in the series, outscoring the Rangers 9-1 in the first two games.

Glen Hanlon was in nets for the Rangers – he would play a more pivotal role at the Coliseum 361 days later.

Bill Smith made 23 saves as he recorded the fourth of his franchise-record 5 playoff shutouts. The Isles recorded a franchise-record-tying 47 shots (for a playoff game).

Sutter holds the Isles record for most goals without a regular season hat trick (121).  (Kyle Okposo was the only other Islander with at least 100 goals who did not have a hat trick, unitl he netted four vs. Pittsburgh in January.  The current leader in goals among players who have never had a hat trick for the Isles is Josh Bailey, who has 81.)
 

Here are a couple of Duane's goals, from the SportsChannel broadcast with Jiggs and Eddie:

Also on this date: (1992) – Steve Thomas scored 4 goals as the Isles closed out the regular season with a 7-0 whipping of the New Jersey Devils.  Ray Ferraro scored his 40^th goal while Benoit Hogue notched his 30^th as Al Arbour coached his 1,438^th NHL game- setting an NHL record at the time.

Chris Terreri was pulled after two periods, having allowed 2 of Thomas’ goals and 5 in all.  The final two goals were allowed by a teenager who wouldn’t even have his rookie season until 1993-94, Martin Brodeur.

 

All-time, the Isles have played two regular season and three playoff games on April 15th at the Coliseum; they have compiled a 2-0-0 regular season and 2-1 playoff record on this date at 1255 Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale.