This Day in Isles History: Nov. 28

Nov. 28, 1979 - Billy Smith is given credit for a goal in a 7-4 loss to the Colorado Rockies and becomes the first NHL goaltender to be credited with a goal. Ilya Sorokin became the second goaltender in franchise history 46 years later, when he recorded a goal in a 7-4 win over Nashville on March 1, 2025.

The Isles trailed the Rockies 4-3 in the third period and had just been called for a delayed penalty. Colorado defenseman Rob Ramage accidentally scored an own-goal and the goal was thus credited to the Islander who had last touched the puck, that being Smith.

Glenn 'Chico' Resch had actually started that game and after 39:15 and relinquishing four goals, he was relieved by Smith. Smith played the final 19:59 and made six saves and was scored on once. The Rockies cemented their 7-4 win with two empty-net goals.

Including Smith, only 12 NHL netminders have managed to light the lamp and only a total of 15 goalie goals have been scored.

Nov. 28, 1999 - Roberto Luongo wins in his NHL debut, stopping 43 of 44 shots in a 2-1 win over the Boston Bruins. Luongo's 43 saves are the most for an Islanders goalie making his NHL debut. Zdeno Chara scored the game-winning goal in the final minute to propel the Islanders to the victory.

Luongo appeared in 24 games for the Islanders in the 1999-2000 season.