John Tonelli’s Lightning-Fast Start Can't Stop Oilers' Offense in 6-4 Loss

The 1984-85 NHL season was a milestone year for New York Islanders forward John Tonelli, who recorded a career-best 100 points with 42 goals and 58 assists. One of his most explosive starts came on December 5, 1984, when the Islanders faced the powerhouse Edmonton Oilers at Northlands Coliseum.

Tonelli wasted no time making an impact, scoring just 25 seconds into the game with assists from Mike Bossy and Gerald Diduck. An incredible 16 seconds later, he lit the lamp again, this time with Bossy picking up his second assist. Two goals in just 41 seconds gave the Islanders early momentum.

But the Oilers, led by their dynamic duo of Jari Kurri and Wayne Gretzky, stormed back. Edmonton responded with three straight goals and by the end of the second period, the teams were tied 4-4. In the third, Kurri took over, scoring twice to complete his hat trick. Both he and Gretzky ended the night with five points, driving the Oilers to a 6-4 comeback win.

Tonelli’s early outburst wasn’t his only contribution. He added an assist on a Mike Bossy powerplay goal with two seconds left in the second period, his third point of the night. It was one of eight times during the season that Tonelli notched three or more points in a game, including a remarkable six-point performance earlier in the year against the Los Angeles Kings.

About John Tonelli

A second round pick by the New York Islanders at the 1977 NHL Amateur Draft after his second of three years in the WHA with the Houston Aeros, John Tonelli got his NHL start with the Isles in 1978-79. Between 1978-79 and 1991-92, Tonelli playe 1,028 regular season and 172 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the Islanders, Calgary Flames, Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks and Quebec Nordiques. 

John helped New York to four consecutive Stanley Cup championships and had his jersey number 27 retired by the club in 2020. Over his time in the World Hockey Association, Tonelli played 224 regular season and 34 playoff games between 1975-76 and 1977-78, all with the Houston Aeros. Prior to that, he played major junior with the Toronto Marlboros.