New York Islanders Top 10 Moments – Nassau Coliseum [Video]

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#2 April 28th, 2002: Shawn Bates‘ Penalty Shot Beats Toronto in Game 4

“Bates in on goal, shoots, he scores!”  Watch the video below and try not to get goosebumps.  I dare you.  May want to avert your eyes when Mike Milbury is shown though, so as not to punch your screen in anger.  Shawn Bates’ penalty shot goal was as memorable a moment at the Coliseum as any on this list.  The 2001-2002 Islanders gave fans tremendous hope.  They finished one point back of Philadelphia for the Atlantic Division title and were back in the playoffs for the first time in 8 years.  In a tie game, with less than 3 minutes to go, Alexi Yashin found Bates streaking down the left side on a semi-breakaway.

Two former Isles were involved in the play (former goalie Curtis Joseph was in goal and former captain Bryan McCabe committed the penalty), and once the ref pointed to center ice signaling a penalty shot, a great Islanders moment was born.  The old barn was packed with a sellout crowd, and in true Coliseum fashion it erupted when Bates beat CuJo stick side.  Bates took the third penalty shot in Islanders playoff history, and amazingly enough, Joseph faced his seventh penalty shot of the season.  This series against the Maple Leafs was one of the best Islanders playoff series in recent memory, although the Isles would eventually lose in seven games in Toronto.  As a bonus, check out the second clip of Eric Cairns throwing right hooks from game 6.  After all, who doesn’t like to see Shayne Corson all discombobulated in his jersey?