[jg2977]

BOSSY BOMBS AWAY!
ISLES LEGEND BLASTS 3 HOMERS, WALK-OFFS FLAMES FOR 2-0 CUP LEAD
BELMONT — Mike Bossy turned back the clock — and turned UBS Arena into a madhouse.
The 35-year-old catcher slugged three home runs, including a tenth-inning walk-off shot, as the Islanders outlasted the Calgary Flames, 8-7, in a wild Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Thursday night.
Bossy drove in six runs and crossed the plate three times, singlehandedly carrying Long Island to a 2-0 series stranglehold in the best-of-seven showdown.
“It’s great to see the crowd jacked up,” Bossy said after sending Jose Cabrera’s fastball screaming into the night. “That’s what this time of year is all about.”
The Isles needed every ounce of Bossy’s magic. Calgary clawed back with long balls from Lloyd Braun and M. Grubin and a game-tying double by Chew, tying things up in the ninth and forcing extras. But with one out in the 10th, Bossy delivered the final word, circling the bases as 43,796 fans roared.
The Flames left the Bronx suburban ice scorched and stunned — their 13 hits and four homers wasted.
Now the series shifts to Calgary for Game 3 at the Saddledome on Saturday, where the Islanders will look to push the Flames to the brink.
For now, though, this was Bossy’s night, a blast from the past — and maybe the blast that puts Long Island two wins away from the Cup.