Jan. 18, 1973 - In the highlight of the inaugural season, the Islanders defeat Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito and the Bruins with a score of 9-7, at Boston Garden.
The game pitted the 4-37-4 Islanders against the reigning Stanley Cup champion Bruins, who entered the game 28-10-4. While the Islanders were written off before contest started, they delivered a significant punch early, scoring five goals in the first period on Bobby Orr and co. to take a 5-1 lead into the first intermission.
"Western Union is going to have all kinds of queries when they send out that score," Torrey said of the events unfolding.
Islanders Captain - and former Bruin - Ed Westfall's second goal of the game made it 6-1 Isles, but the game was far from over. Boston ripped off three quick goals to make it 6-4 by the halfway mark. The Islanders extended their lead to 7-4 before the end of the second period, but the Bruins put a scare in the Islanders, getting as close as 7-6 with a pair of quick goals from Wayne Cashman and Terry O'Reilly. Tom Miller made it 8-6 Islanders, but the Bruins still would not go quietly, as Johnny Bucyk's fourth goal of the night made it 8-7. The Islanders could finally exhale when Billy Harris potted an insurance goal to make it 9-7 late in the third.
This Day in Isles History: Jan. 18
The Isles defeat the Boston Bruins 9-7 for the signature win of their inaugural season
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