1982 Islander Ranger series compilation video

[@ms.felonystrutter2472]

Two of my fave goalies in the 80's Roland Melanson and Michele Dion. Thaks for posting

[@jmacnyr]

This is fantastic. Thank you so much for posting. Like many others who lived through that era, my memories of the great Ranger-Islander games were of listening to Marv and Red Light calling the action on WNEW 1130 AM. I always wished I could watch the games but listening on the radio kind of added to its charm.

[@ziggymorris8760]

I was a kid back then growing up on Long Island, you have never seen such hatred among fans as I saw back then. The fights started in the parking lot and in the arena, back in the parking lot, in penn station, on the platform etc etc. It was brutal.

[@ANTHONY0808able]

Ziggy, 100% !! I am 55 years old now and lived through it. NEVER seen such hatred amongst fans.

[@christlopherbrandimarte4520]

No....IT WAS FUN !

[@christlopherbrandimarte4520]

Today's fan has no clue how great it was..... Or how GREAT the NYI actually were..... 19 straight playoff series victories.... which will NEVER be surpassed

[@ANTHONY0808able]

@@christlopherbrandimarte4520 It definitely was fun, as someone who lived through it start to finish. Will never see such hatred amongst fans like that ever again. Isles had an amazing 10 year run from 75-84 but have been garbage for the past 36 years now. 2 generations of Isles fans know them only as losers. The glory days just grainy films that they watch.

[@paulk8716]

Mike, thanks for this one and all the others, in 9th grade in 1982, brings back the memories. Paul

[@bobwhammer4237]

Legend has it that the Icelanders goal horn was actually a hand-cranked siren from an old firetruck. Potvin's wife volunteered to crank it every time they scored.

[@chrisdennehy9425]

Another gem, Mike I. Really brings back great memories. Thanks again for sharing.

[@mikel7004]

I enjoyed making this video, it was the first hockey I had ever watched and became a big fan as a result. Game 6 was the first game I ever traded for, now I have almost everything that exists from the 70-80s.

[@kristinbianchino1844]

could you check to see if you have isles vs canucks from feb of 1986 isles won 1-0 first game I ever attended smitty shutout trottier scored only goal. was lucky to see that dynasty team play live even though It was couple years after their last cup

[@jpwjr1199]

85-86 was a vestige of those cup teams. and trading Tonelli to avoid paying his salary, was a harbinger of things to come, unfortunately. so you didn't see them. IMO, they were done the year before when they stopped dressing Langevin and Lane. Kilrea, who was supposed to take over when Arbour quit, vouched for Lane, but he got sent down anyway. Melanson was gone, too - he had great chemistry with that D corps - people forget that. 82 ,83, and 84, he was good for 20+ wins a year, which got the Isles through seasons that could have turned lackluster had Smitty been the only horse (specifically 83' and 84')- people forget that, too. Mike McEwen's teams always were playing for something sans the Colorado debacle. He given to LA for nothing almost to start to pay their GM back for Goring. And Goring was in Boston by then. Wayne Merrick had retired. And of course, Nystrom had to stop playing and was ready to retire. Lot of guys were gone quickly after they lost to Edmonton.

[@jpwjr1199]

Haven't thought about this one for a long time - was too young to be aware of this then, but that Canada Cup (which turned out to be an embarrassment in its own right due to Mike Liut) appeared to have a carryover effect on the Isles in the first 2 rounds (Gillies, Trottier, Bossy, Potvin, Goring, & Smith basically didn't have a vacation after the 2nd Cup and all looked fatigued at certain points in this series). It is also interesting to me to note that after Arbour threw his semi-annual fit on the bench in Game 4, how all of the above players appeared to perk up and get their stuff in order, until Game 5 anyway.

[@dzanier]

The Canada Cup of September 1981 had a carryover effect on certain players in the first two rounds of April 1982? Is that what you’re saying?

[@jpwjr1199]

@@dzanier Yes, absolutely. Many of the Isles players had already played 64 extra games in the past 3 seasons and those guys involved in the Canada Cup basically had no summer since they would have been practicing in late August. That's exactly what I'm saying.

[@dzanier]

@@jpwjr1199 yes I understand about the carryover effect, but that should apply to the start of the season, not the playoffs six months later. Plus they demolished them in games 1 and 2.

[@jpwjr1199]

@@dzanier Not necessarily, so, no. There is more of a carryover fatigue after 80 more games than there was before 80 more games. Al Arbour said it himself in the interviews at the conclusion of the playoffs (The Isles didn't find their legs and their game until about Game 4 of The Rags series due to the "summer tournament" as he put it), so you can take his word for it.

[@dzanier]

@@jpwjr1199 I didn’t know that. I apologize.

[@ramram349]

The Rangers could have had a completely healthy line up and they still would have lost to the champs, but I didn't realize how banged up the Rangers were. Hats off to the Rangers for giving a great team a hell of a series, just like the severely undermanned Penguins did in the previous series against the Isles.

[@paulmendrina1449]

Big Ranger upsets of Philly 82 83 and 86.

[@ANTHONY0808able]

Yes Paul, Rangers won 4 of 7 playoff series vs Flyers from 1979-1987. For those 9 years it was almost an annual playoff match up. Flyer fans like to forget that and talk about how Flyers always dominated Rangers. Wasn't the case.

[@hamburg1306]

Some things never change Rangers denied on one end and then give up goal

[@mrbob424]

id love to see more of that rangers flyers series. i was at the 2 games in the spectrum and i saw some special games there.

[@williegordon9188]

Surprised the Flyers didn't goon it up when they knew they were going to lose the series.

[@hamburg1306]

First year for Herb Brooks as Rangers coach

[@tonyt13aa]

The games today are not nearly as exciting as they were back in the 70's and 80's. The players have tremendous talent today and all can skate brilliantly, but I don't believe that it translates to a better game. I was at most of these games and boy do I miss that atmosphere!!!

[@ANTHONY0808able]

You nailed it Tony, the atmosphere at hockey games in 70's and 80's was wild.

[@bb-gc2tx]

Also a lot of the players back then played entire careers on one team. So the hatred was real. Today players move from one team to another it's not as intense

[@christlopherbrandimarte4520]

You are 150% Correct

[@chrisuncleahmad666]

Still hard to believe the Rangers won twice at Nassau this series

[@ANTHONY0808able]

Yes was a weird one amongst the Ranger/Islander playoff series. Only one home game won, Isles winning Game 2 at Nassau. Isles won all 3 games at MSG

[@trackman94]

Almost 35 years later and it's still painful to watch the Rangers lose to the Islanders.

[@dzanier]

that ot goal that trottier scored in game 3 was a very bag goal for mio to give up.

[@71invictus]

The only hockey dynasty NY has ever known.

[@ziggymorris8760]

mike b as someone who lived through it the rivalry was extreme vicious

[@ziggymorris8760]

Daniel Zanier no it wasn’t, it was a sneaky goal that was very hard to predict

[@ANTHONY0808able]

@@dzanier was at the game sitting right behind the net, weak goal by Mio.

[@bisles5256]

Great vids as usual. Growing up in ronkonkoma in 80s we used go up to Cablevision in happauge. Bill Chadwick had local show called big whistle. Do you by any chance have these shows on tape. It would air n Cablevision channel 6 on Monday nights

[@hamburg1306]

MSG crowd much louder than it is now.

[@jpwjr1199]

you have enough posts on this thread?

[@allenrappaport2595]

I think maybe it's because there was more mystery to life back then and smart phones were not the central points of our lives. Ticket prices also gave many real fans a chance to see the games.

[@paulmendrina1449]

Totally agree

[@ANTHONY0808able]

@@paulmendrina1449 The garden was a WILD place in the 70's and 80's. Much more a blue collar and passionate crowd. Not the case nowadays.

[@ziggymorris8760]

It’s ironic because the year before the Isles eliminated the rangers in 4 straight that ended at the garden with Bammer getting the last goal as well.

[@bb-gc2tx]

I saw you posted clips of first 4 games of pen series. Could you post some of those games. Would love see full game. 3 video or game 4

[@djn3131]

If you could find all the goals from the 75 Series that would be a great find!

[@veritasinvicta8128]

Actually 6 times if you count the first with the J.P Parise ot goal in the deciding game 3, the only time an Islander underdog beat a favored Ranger team. This would reverse in 1979 when the favored Isles would lose.

[@PapaMav]

When did they change the rule about no longer warming up the replacement goalie?

[@bb-gc2tx]

A year after al arbor used it to give isles a rest in game 5 against pens in 82

[@71invictus]

1985 was the best and closest series these two ever played, only 5 games though as it was a first rounder.

[@mikel7004]

It was 1984. They didn't meet again until 90

[@71invictus]

Yes, I stand corrected. Rangers won in 1990.

[@ziggymorris8760]

Watcher on the Wall they didn’t play each other in 1985

[@ziggymorris8760]

Watcher on the Wall the rangers wouldn’t beat the Isles for 5 years at the coliseum lol

[@veritasinvicta8128]

@@ziggymorris8760 Only that 1979 series did the Rangers beat that great Islander team. By 1990 those Isles were gone.

[@hamburg1306]

Tough series for Rangers to lose. Lost all 3 games at MSG and won 2 at Nassau coliseum. Key loss was game 3 OT. Late goal by Bourne to tie it and then lose in OT. Other games were one goal plus empty net.

[@jpwjr1199]

U r a tool. The Rags weren't a Cup team that year. Give me a break.

[@danerickson2095]

Highlight Of A Rivalry. Rangers vs. Islanders 1978-1984 available at amazon.com

[@uncl3m0key75]

I was at Game 6 at MSG

[@trackman94]

uncl3m0key I was at game 3. Paid $40 to sit up in the blues. Face value was $6.

[@ANTHONY0808able]

I was at the series turning game 3, Trottier in OT. @@trackman94

[@hamburg1306]

Last hurrah for John Davidson in game 4.

[@bisles5256]

Smith makes game saving glove save end of game 6 on rejo routslinen. You left out of highlights. Can you post that save when you have chance one of greatest saves he ever made

[@mikel7004]

I remember that save, I thought I included it, I had it cut but must have left it out

[@uncl3m0key75]

Billy Smith told Stan Fischler during an interview on his retirement asked him what was the best save you ever made and Smith replied the save on Ruotsalainen in the 82 playoffs was the best

[@mikel7004]

Here's the Islander announcers discussing that save just before game 1 of the 83 series. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqrVd3-qaNJphKs

[@uncl3m0key75]

Thanks Mike I just watched it

[@GetBenched2010]

Those fucking cooperalls...

[@cowetascore8476]

Poor Rangers. They had to wait for Vanbiesbrouck and by that time, the Islanders had run right over them three straight years. lol. Still wouldn't have mattered.

[@hamburg1306]

Three brutal home losses.

[@jpwjr1199]

Brutal? lol

[@ANTHONY0808able]

@@jpwjr1199 I completely agree. Rangers simply couldn't beat Isles at MSG in the 81, 82, 83, 84 series going a combined 3-7 in 10 games at MSG over those 4 years. They finally defended home ice against the Isles in the 90 and 94 series going 5-0 against Isles at MSG in the 2 most recent series against their arch rivals.

[@hamburg1306]

JD injured after Gillies goal in game 4.

[@billybrah4904]

The Rangers have never beaten the Islanders in a playoff OT game

[@christlopherbrandimarte4520]

AND NEVER WILL ! Who was the brainiac to decide that Ron Duguay was a better pick than #22 Mike Bossy in that draft....

[@ANTHONY0808able]

@@christlopherbrandimarte4520 True but the Isles are 1-8 in their past 2 playoff series vs Rangers losing by a combined 22-3 score in 94. Embarrassing how far they have fallen since their glory days.

[@860anthony]

The goaltending form was terrible then.

[@ziggymorris8760]

Isles victimized Mio, Weeks and Baker back then, it was lambs to slaughter.

[@ANTHONY0808able]

Mio , Weeks, Baker, Hanlon (you forgot him). Rangers crushed weak Islander goal tending in 90 and 94 series however. Hextall especially.

[@deragon59]

I'm a ranger fan ,but they never had the better team in any of their meetings from 79 to 84.

[@ANTHONY0808able]

Same here Chris, Ranger fan and completely agree. 79-84 Isles had the better team each time. I have always felt that the Isles incredibly poor play in the 79 series was as much the reason the Rangers won as any.

[@hamburg1306]

Also giving up shorthanded goal

[@ziggymorris8760]

Potvin put Davidson into retirement lol

[@mrbob424]

he was a cheap shot artist who got away with a lot of chit.

[@markravitz1684]

Denis Potvin is an asshole

[@hamburg1306]

Shame because all upsets rest of league and clear path to Stanley cup

[@ANTHONY0808able]

Yes Steve, had Pitt been able to finish off Isles in Game 5 of first round, Rangers had a shot at cup that year. All upsets, garbage teams advanced to semis and finals.

[@robbenkovitz]

Isles didn't lose another game after the game 5 loss to the Rags at home - swept the Nordiques and Canucks to take their third cup.

[@davidcarson3842]

I have always hated Denis Potvin. He is so full of himself and is a former wife beater. I hated the Islanders and Billy Smith was one of the dirtiest players ever.

[@christlopherbrandimarte4520]

Davey....want some cheese with that whine....Rangers win one cup....ONE.... since 1940....and it's like the greatest accomplishment ever...PLEEZ give me a FLIPPIN' break....

[@christlopherbrandimarte4520]

If I see one more butt smooching love fest about 1994 on MSG.... I just might vomit !

[@christlopherbrandimarte4520]

The reason Ranger fans hate Potvin so much is that they wanted to draft him, as did Montreal and many othe NHL teams, who wanted the Islanders' #1 pick in that draft... Bill Torrey adamantly REFUSED to give up his #1 pick, Potvin, and especially to the Rangers or the Canadiens. No how ! No way !

[@markravitz1684]

Denis Potvin is an asshole. Billy Smith thought he was bigger than the rest of the league....he didn't shake hands with the other team at the end of the series....he is a bigger asshole than Potvin

[@christlopherbrandimarte4520]

@@markravitz1684 That was not the case however. If you knew the history, the NYR and many other teams wanted the NYIsles 1st Rd Pick that year...and the NYR were especially annoyed that Torrey did not accept their offer, or any teams' offer for that matter....they wanted Potvin, and got him. Years later, if you remember Ranger fans, they could have redeemed themselves by choosing Bossy instead of Duguay. Perhaps NYRs would have won a few Cups had they chosen Bossy instead. The rest as they say is HISTORY. Think about that Ranger Fans !