It Happened at the Coliseum … on FEBRUARY 28th

It's finally here. The day John Tavares returns to the Coliseum, this time with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

It wouldn't be "It Happened" without looking back at JT's most famous goal at the Coliseum - one that make Tyler Kennedy jump for joy.  

Here's a link to The Skinny for that game:

The Skinny: Isles 2, Washington 1 (OT) - Game 3, 2015 Playoffs

Today's edition of It Happened featured a game that Happened four months before Tavares was drafted, on this day in 2009.

6 years ago tonight (2009): Yann Danis made 31 saves for his second shutout in a week and Sean Bergenheim scored both goals as the Isles blanked Buffalo 2-0.

“Pucks are just hitting me right now,” Danis said. “My positioning has been good; I think that’s been the key to my game. Also I think the guys are playing really good hockey in front of me.”

Scott Gordon was impressed with his goaltender. “Positionally he was great—great recoveries and he tracked the puck. The rebounds he gave up, I don’t think they were controllable rebounds, and the ones that were right in front he jumped right on them.”

Islander Captain Bill Guerin was a healthy scratch – he would be traded to Pittsburgh in a deadine deal a few days later.

Andrew MacDonald made his NHL debut as the Isles played without the suspended Brendan Witt.  MacDonald would be a regular in the Isles lineup for the next five years.

The win raised the Isles’ home record to NHL-.500 (13-13-5).

Danis improved to 6-4-2 in his last twelve games, as he recorded his second straight home shutout.  Danis has bounced around the NHL/AHL/KHL since then and has not recorded an NHL shutout since.

Here are the highlights with Howie Rose and Billy Jaffe:

Also on this date: (1978) – Wayne Merrick and Denis Potvin scored goals exactly one minute apart, early in the third period, as the Isles broke a 2-2 tie and defeated Toronto 4-2.  Referee Ron Wicks called only four minor penalties in a preview of a ferocious playoff series between the teams.  The Isles improved to 38-13-11 on the season.

All-time, the Isles have played ten February 28th games at the Coliseum and have compiled a 4-4-2 record on this date at 1255 Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale.  The 11th and final February 28th home game is today at 5:00, as the Isles host Carolina. Make sure you’re there, because after tonight, there are only nine regular season games remaining.

(Eric's note: the Isles lost that game in 2015 by a 5-3 score. Cam Ward picked up the win, as the Isles dropped to 4-5-2 on February 28th.  Some guy named "John Tavares" scored his 30th goal of the season in the defeat.)