It Happened at the Coliseum … on APRIL 30th

32 years ago tonight (1983) – The Islanders got goals from seven different players as they defeated the Boston Bruins 7-3 to take a 2-1 lead in the Wales Conference Final.

The Isles grabbed a 3-1 lead in the first period on goals by Bob Nystrom, Brent Sutter and Bryan Trottier.

A pair of Hall of Famers, Ray Bourque and Mike Bossy, traded power play goals in the second period and Bourque scored again 84 seconds into the third period to make it a one-goal lead.

That was as close as the Bruins got.  Ken Morrow scored five minutes into the third to restore the 2-goal lead; Denis Potvin and Butch Goring added late goals for the final margin of victory.

Of the seven Isles to score in the game, six were “Core of the Four” players, who were on their way to their fourth straight Stanley Cup.

The Core goalie, Billy Smith, made 33 saves as the Isles were outshot 36-26.

“We played well, that’s what hurts”, Bruin coach Gerry Cheevers told Newsday’s Pat Calabria. “We skated, we took the body…but I don’t want to take anything away from the Islanders.  They won…emphatically.”

Here are some highlights, with Jiggs and Eddie on the call.

Also on this date: (1987) Bryan Trottier scored two goals and added an assist as the Isles defeated Philadelphia 4-2 to force a 7^th game in the Patrick Division Finals.   Mike Bossy scored the game’s first goal in what turned out to be his final Coliseum game; it was the 85^th and final playoff goal of his injury-shortened career. Kelly Hrudey made 25 saves as the Isles staved off elimination.

Here are some highlights of Games 5 and 6 from ESPN's Tom Mees, including Bossy's final goal:

Also on this date: (1981)  Butch Goring scored two goals, including one while shorthanded as the Isles rallied from a 3-1 deficit for a 7-3 victory over the Rangers to take a 2-0 lead in the series. Anders Kallur also scored shorthanded for the Isles, who were halfway to their four-game sweep of the Blueshirts.

Goring was a popular guy after this one -- he's interviewed here by both Marv Albert and Mike Barry.  Check out Butch's bathrobe -- I wonder if he might have a future in television?

All-time, the Isles have played no regular season and three playoff games on April 30th at the Coliseum; they have compiled a 3-1 playoff record on this date at 1255 Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale.