It Happened at the Coliseum … on MAY 22nd

22 years ago tonight (1993)- Patrick Flatley’s goal broke a 1-1 tie early in the third period as the Islanders defeated Montreal 4-1 in game #4 of the Wales Conference Final.

Paul DiPietro scored early in the second period to break a scoreless tie, but Steve Thomas tied the game before the period ended.

After Flatley gave the Isles the lead at 5:57 of the third period, David Volek gave the Isles a 3-1 lead with his second goal of the series at 10:24. Benoit Hogue hit the empty net in the final minute for the final margin of victory in what turned out to be Al Arbour’s 123^rd and final playoff win (119 for Isles).

"This was a typical Islander effort led by our captain Pat Flatley," Al Arbour told Newsday’s Jeff Williams. "His play was typical of our second effort tonight. He battled through that defenseman from the blue line in."

The Islander win snapped Montreal’s NHL-record-tying 11-game playoff winning streak.

Nobody would have believed you at the time, but it turned out to be the last time the Coliseum hosted a game beyond the first round of the playoffs.

1992-93 team picture

Also on this date: (1980) – Rick MacLeish scored twice as the Flyers earned a 6-3 win in Philadelphia in game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final.  Stefan Persson had two goals for the Islanders, both on the power play.  The Isles would have to wait less than 48 hours for Game 6 – that game would have a different result.

All-time, the Isles played one playoff games on May 22nd at the Coliseum; they compiled a 1-0 playoff record on this date at 1255 Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale.