UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- Mike Bossy collected four goals and an assist Tuesday night to extend his NHL record for consecutive 50-goal seasons to nine and send the Islanders to an 8-4 triumph over the Calgary Flames capping one of the most tumultous days in the New York franchise's history.
The Islanders, shaken by the news that popular John Tonelli had been traded to Calgary, came out flying with Bossy obviously primed.
Bossy broke his own record and provided the Islanders with a 7-2 lead with his third goal of the game at 10:48 of the final period.
The 29-year-old Bossy, who has reached the 50-goal milestone in every one of his NHL seasons, was set up by Bryan Trottier and Rich Kromm, who has acquired Tuesday in the Tonelli trade.
Trottier stole the puck from the Calgary defense and threw it up to center ice where Kromm broke in with Bossy on a 2-on-1 break. Streaking down the right wing, Bossy picked up a pass from Kromm and beat rookie goalie Mike Vernon from 12 feet out. Vernon had come on to start the third period in replacement of Rejean Lemelin.
Bossy's achievement considerably improved the mood of Islanders fans, who before the game broke out in screams of: 'JT, JT, JT ...,' a salute to the departed Tonelli, one of the most popular players in Islanders history.
Bossy added his fifth point of the night to close scoring with his 51st goal of the season at 7:51 on a setup from Trottier, who ended up with a goal and three assists in the game.
Bossy's performance picked up the spirits of the Islanders, who were shaken by the trade of their All-Star and 100-point scorer of last season, Tonelli. In addition, they've been struggling to maintain their third-place status in the Patrick Division, which had been threatened by last weekend's double-loss in a home-and-home series with Washington.
The re-awakened Islanders led 2-0 after one period on goals 52 seconds apart by Trottier and Pat LaFontaine.
At 17:49, Trottier scored his 33rd goal of the season on a pass from Mike Bossy. As Bossy passed to Trottier, Tonelli lunged helplessly to get a stick on the puck and lie spread-eagled on the ice as Trottier beat Lemelin.
LaFontaine then scored his 25th goal of the campaign, at 18:41 on a backhander.
Bossy and Trottier connected again at the start of the second period to give New York a 3-0 lead. Bossy scored during a power play at 2:06 on Trottier's passout from behind the net.
Bossy scored his second goal of the game at 7:00.
The Flames finally beat goalie Kelly Hrudey at 10:59 when they had a two-man advantage. Joel Otto scored 38 seconds after Steve Konroyd - acquired with Kromm for Tonelli -- joined Denis Potvin in the penalty box.
Bob Bourne scored with 80 seconds remaining in the second period to give New York a 5-1 lead.
In addition to the two third-period goals by Bossy, Islanders captain Potvin scored to bring his point total on the night to three. Scoring for Calgary were Hakan Loob, Dan Quinn and Paul Baxter.
