It Happened at the Coliseum … on MAY 1st

31 years ago tonight (1984) – Mike Bossy broke a 1-1 tie late in the second period as the Islanders defeated Montreal 3-1 to even their Wales Conference Final series at 2 games apiece.  Bossy’s goal came less than a minute after Billy Smith stopped Mats Naslund on a penalty shot.

Tomas Jonsson and Steve Shutt traded power play goals in the first period.  Gord Dineen scored his first career playoff goal at 2:24 of the third period for the final margin in a penalty-filled game. 

Butch Goring was penalized on two separate plays in the first period – that certainly didn’t happen very often! 

Smith finished with 26 saves as he broke Glenn Hall’s record for playoff games with his 116^th appearance. It was also his 82^nd win, which at the time extended his own record. “I don’t care about records”, Smith told Newsday’s Tim Moriarty. “All I care about is winning – and making money.”

The highlights are from the USA Network -- you'll hear the analyst, Gary Green, and the host, Al Trautwig and just a second or two of the great Dan Kelly.

Also on this date: (1976) – The Canadiens pushed the Isles to the edge, rallying from a 2-0 deficit for a 3-2 win to take a 3-0 lead in their semi-final series.  Garry Howatt and Bryan Trottier scored 75 seconds apart in the first period but Montreal rallied for 3 goals in the third period for the win.  Yvon Lambert tallied the winner at 16:12 of the period.

All-time, the Isles have played no regular season and two playoff games on May 1^st at the Coliseum; they have compiled a 1-1 playoff record on this date at 1255 Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale.