Hockey: NHL Finals: New York Islanders Bryan Trottier (19) in action, scoring goal vs Philadelphia Flyers goalie Phil Myre (31). Game 3. Uniondale, NY 7/17/1980 Credit: Sports Illustrated via Getty Ima/George Tiedemann
Christmas dawned on Long Island on May 17, 1980.
At least that’s the way Bryan Trottier felt as he approached Nassau Coliseum that day for Game 3 of the Islanders’ Stanley Cup Final against the Philadelphia Flyers.
The expansion franchise, born in 1972, had advanced to the NHL semifinals from 1975-77 and again in 1979, when they were upset in six games by the Rangers despite finishing first overall in the regular-season standings.