1987–88 Los Angeles Lakers season
Before the Lakers could make good on Riley's guarantee, they swept the San Antonio Spurs in the opening round of the playoffs. The following two rounds however would not be as easy for the Lakers, but they still managed to get through a tough seven-game series against both the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference Semis and the Dallas Mavericks Western Conference Finals.


1987–88 Los Angeles Lakers season
By the time the Lakers had finished their season they had played an NBA record 106 games including another record 24 playoff games, winning 77 and losing 29. The Lakers went 62–20 in the regular season and 15–9 in the playoffs.


1987–88 Los Angeles Lakers season
The 1988 Finals was the last time the Showtime-era Lakers won an NBA championship. It was also the final time that the franchise won a championship at The Forum. They did not win another league title until 2000, when they were playing at the Staples Center.


1987–88 Los Angeles Lakers season
Magic Johnson, James Worthy and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were all selected to play in the 1988 NBA All-Star Game held in Chicago. Pat Riley was chosen to coach the Western Conference All-Stars.


1987–88 Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team
This is the current revision of this page, as edited by Mooreux (talk | contribs) at 19:01, 18 July 2020 (→References). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this version.


1987–88 Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team
The 1987–88 Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team represented the University of Louisville in the 1987–88 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The head coach was Denny Crum and the team finished the season with an overall record of 24–11.


1987–88 Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team
The 1987–88 Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team represented Loyola Marymount University during the 1987–88 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Lions were led by third-year head coach Paul Westhead. They played their home games at Gersten Pavilion in Los Angeles, California as members of the West Coast Conference.


1987–88 Loyola Marymount Lions men's basketball team
LMU led the nation in scoring by averaging 110.3 points per game, and won a school-record 25 consecutive games before losing to North Carolina in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.


1987–88 Luton Town F.C. season
The 1987–88 season was the 103rd season in the history of Luton Town Football Club. It was Luton Town's 68th consecutive season in the Football League, and their 71st overall. It was also their sixth successive season in the First Division, and their 12th overall. The season is one of the club's most successful of all time, as Luton Town achieved a ninth-place finish in the league, won the Football League Cup, and reached the FA Cup semi-final and Full Members' Cup final. As League Cup winners, they would normally have qualified for the UEFA Cup, but were denied a first foray into European competition due to the ban on English clubs as a result of the 1985 Heysel disaster continuing for a fourth season.


1987–88 Luton Town F.C. season, Background
1982–83 saw Luton Town back in the First Division under David Pleat, making a final day escape from relegation at Maine Road through Raddy Antić. By 1985–86 Pleat had ensured that Luton had climbed to a ninth-place finish, but at the end of the season Pleat left to take up the reins at Tottenham Hotspur. Youth team manager and former player John Moore was promoted to manager, and former Fulham boss Ray Harford was brought in as his assistant. Due to the club's infamous ban on visiting supporters, 1986–87 saw Luton excluded from the Football League Cup. However, it proved to be Luton Town's best yet, as Moore and Harford took the club to their highest ever league finish; seventh. When Moore resigned after only one season, Harford was promoted to manager for the 1987–88 campaign.


1987–88 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, July–September
The promotion of Ray Harford to manager ensured a sense of continuity was maintained at Kenilworth Road, as Harford had been assistant to John Moore the previous season. Danny Wilson arrived from Brighton & Hove Albion during July in a £150,000 deal, as the club looked to build on their seventh-place finish the year before.


1987–88 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, July–September
Luton started their assault on the First Division badly, not winning their first game of the campaign until the sixth time of asking with a 5–2 victory over Oxford United at the Manor Ground. A second victory followed the next week, as Luton beat Everton 2–1. Meanwhile, Harford continued to dabble in the transfer market – Scottish winger Mickey Weir arrived from Hibernian for £230,000, while Robert Wilson and Stacey North were sold to Fulham and West Bromwich Albion respectively. Days after the Weir transfer, Mike Newell was transferred to Leicester City. Two league defeats followed, at Charlton Athletic and Queens Park Rangers – but in between there was a winning start in the League Cup as Luton beat Wigan Athletic 1–0 at Springfield Park, courtesy of a goal from new signing Weir.


1987–88 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, October–December
A Mick Harford goal was enough to secure a 1–1 draw against Manchester United at Kenilworth Road, and Harford bagged a hat-trick three days later as Luton trounced Wigan 4–2 in the second leg of the League Cup fixture. Harford scored a penalty at Fratton Park on the 10th, but it wasn't enough to prevent a 3–1 victory for Portsmouth. Ian Allinson signed from Stoke City for £10,000, and made his debut a week later as Luton beat Wimbledon 2–0.


1987–88 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, October–December
The impact of a 1–0 home defeat to Liverpool was softened by subsequent success in the League Cup, as Coventry were routed 3–1 at Leicester City's Filbert Street. Three comfortable league victories followed, Luton keeping a clean sheet in every one, and the League Cup run continued with a 1–0 win at Ipswich. Defeat at Norwich City was followed by the derby match at Watford – Steve Foster's goal gave Luton a 1–0 victory. A draw and a loss followed, before Luton rounded off the calendar year with a 1–0 home win over Charlton.


1987–88 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, January–March
New Year's Day saw a 3–0 home win over Chelsea – indeed, Luton went through the month unbeaten. The start of the club's FA Cup run saw victory at Hartlepool, while a draw and a victory in the league kept Luton comfortably in mid-table. The League Cup success continued, as Bradford City were beaten 2–0 at Kenilworth Road.


1987–88 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, January–March
Oxford United then visited Kenilworth Road for one of the more remarkable fixtures of the year – Luton beat Oxford 7–4, as Mark Stein scored a hat-trick. Luton travelled to Oxford four days later for the League Cup semi-final first leg, and came out of the match with a 1–1 draw. Arsenal beat Luton 2–1 at Highbury, before Mickey Weir, who had just signed from Hibernian months before, returned to Hibernian on the 14th in a £200,000 move.


1987–88 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, January–March
Luton achieved victory over Everton in the Full Members' Cup, and it then took a replay to knock Queens Park Rangers out of the FA Cup. The second leg in the League Cup against Oxford saw Luton run out 2–0 victors, with a place in the final against Arsenal as their prize.


1987–88 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, January–March
March saw Luton win two successive matches in the Full Members' Cup, but also lose twice in a row in the league. The end of the month saw the Full Members' Cup final against Second Division Reading – Luton were defeated 4–1 at Wembley Stadium. Consolation was taken from a 4–1 victory over Portsmouth two days later.


1987–88 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, April–June
Luton lost the FA Cup semi-final 2–1 to Wimbledon, and Luton only won once in the league during April. The League Cup Final against Arsenal came on the 24th, and Luton took an early lead through Brian Stein. Luton were overhauled by the opposition during the second half, and trailed 1–2 before a penalty was awarded to Arsenal with ten minutes left. Andy Dibble saved Nigel Winterburn's shot, and the Luton team rallied to equalise soon after through Danny Wilson. Stein scored the winner with the last kick of the game to bring the first ever piece of major silverware to Luton.


1987–88 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, April–June
Following the League Cup victory, Luton drew at Norwich before beating Watford 2–1 at home to complete a double over their rivals. Tottenham Hotspur beat Luton 2–1 at White Hart Lane, before Luton finished the season with four consecutive 1–1 draws with Southampton, Liverpool and Nottingham Forest (twice). Luton achieved a ninth-place finish, to go with their cup achievements – an FA Cup semi-final place, a League Cup victory, and a Full Members' Cup final.


1987–88 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, April–June
At the end of the season, Brian Stein left for French club SM Caen on a free transfer, while Emeka Nwajiobi retired from injury. Defender John Dreyer signed from Oxford United on 27 June for £140,000.


1987–88 Luxembourg National Division
The 1987–88 Luxembourg National Division was the 74th season of top level association football in Luxembourg.


1987–88 Luxembourg National Division, Overview
It was performed in 12 teams, and Jeunesse Esch won the championship.


1987–88 Magyar Kupa
The 1987–88 Magyar Kupa (English: Hungarian Cup) was the 48th season of Hungary's annual knock-out cup football competition.


1987–88 Major Indoor Soccer League season
The 1987–88 Major Indoor Soccer League season was the tenth in league history and ended with the San Diego Sockers winning their sixth indoor title in seven years over the Cleveland Force.


1987–88 Major Indoor Soccer League season, Regular Season Schedule
The 1987-88 regular season schedule ran from November 4, 1987 to April 17, 1988. The schedule was lengthened to 56 games per team, the longest to date in MISL history.


1987–88 Major Indoor Soccer League season, Playoffs, Scoring leaders
GP = Games Played, G = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points


1987–88 Maltese Premier League
The 1987–88 Maltese Premier League was the 8th season of the Maltese Premier League, and the 73rd season of top-tier football in Malta. It was contested by 8 teams, and Hamrun Spartans F.C. won the championship.


1987–88 Manchester City F.C. season
The 1987–88 season was Manchester City’s first season in the Football League Second Division, the second division of English football.


1987–88 Manchester City F.C. season, Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1987–88 Manchester United F.C. season
The 1987–88 season was Manchester United's 86th season in the Football League, and their 13th consecutive season in the top division of English football.


1987–88 Manchester United F.C. season
The season was a relative success, with the club finishing second in the league, but they did not play in the UEFA Cup the following season due to the ban on English clubs in Europe after the Heysel Stadium disaster. They finished nine points behind champions Liverpool, who lost just twice all season and for much of the campaign looked uncatchable.


1987–88 Manchester United F.C. season
Perhaps the most memorable game of the season was in the league at Anfield just before Liverpool's title was confirmed, when United were 3–1 down at half time but fought back to hold the hosts to a 3–3 draw, denying them two points and delaying their bid to seal the title.


1987–88 Manchester United F.C. season
United lost just five times in the league in 40 games, and lost only once at Old Trafford, but a few disappointing draws against relatively unfancied sides including Charlton and Luton led to crucial points being dropped and prevented them from mounting a serious threat to Liverpool.


1987–88 Manchester United F.C. season
It was Alex Ferguson's first full season as United manager, and it was the first season at the club for new signings Brian McClair (who finished the season as one of the First Division's top scorers with 24 goals) and Viv Anderson. December also saw the arrival of defender Steve Bruce from Norwich City in a £900,000 deal, after an approach for Rangers and England defender Terry Butcher collapsed when the player suffered a broken leg.


1987–88 Manchester United F.C. season
After the season's end, Ferguson brought Mark Hughes back to Old Trafford from Barcelona in a £1.8 million deal that made him United's record signing. He also replaced Chris Turner in goal by paying £500,000 for Jim Leighton, who played under Ferguson at Aberdeen. He also attempted to sign Paul Gascoigne from Newcastle United, and a deal was agreed, but while Ferguson was on holiday, Gascoigne agreed to join Tottenham Hotspur in the first £2 million fee to be paid by a British club.


1987–88 Manchester United F.C. season
It was the last season at United for long-serving defender Kevin Moran, who was transferred to Sporting Gijon after losing his place in the team to Steve Bruce. Remi Moses played his last game for the club before ongoing injury problems forced his retirement from playing, when still in his twenties.


1987–88 Manchester United F.C. season, Events of the season
Manchester United began the 1987–88 season (the first full season under the management of Alex Ferguson) with new signings in the shape of defender Viv Anderson and striker Brian McClair, while Frank Stapleton and Terry Gibson were both on their way out of Old Trafford.


1987–88 Manchester United F.C. season, Events of the season
The First Division season began with Manchester United drawing 2–2 at Southampton, with Norman Whiteside scores both of United's goals, with Southampton's Danny Wallace scoring both of the home side's goals.


1987–88 Manchester United F.C. season, Events of the season
Bryan Robson was sent off on 29 August as Manchester United beat Charlton Athletic 3–1 away in their fourth league game of the season, placing them fifth in the First Division.


1987–88 Manchester United F.C. season, Events of the season
18 September 1987: Manchester United also made a bid to sign Wales striker Andy Jones from Port Vale, but the player instead opted for Charlton Athletic in a £300,000 deal.


1987–88 Manchester United F.C. season, Events of the season
The good progress which saw Manchester United climb to mid table from near the foot of the First Division following Alex Ferguson's appointment last season continued into this season as they soon established themselves as a top five force and the nearest serious challengers to traditional title favourites Liverpool.


1987–88 Manchester United F.C. season, Events of the season
Alex Ferguson had long been known to be keen to secure the signing of Mark Hughes, who had to stay outside Britain until at least April 1988 to avoid taxation on money earned since his move from Manchester United to FC Barcelona in June 1986, was reported to be on the verge of signing a permanent contract with Bayern Munich of West Germany after a successful start to his loan spell at the Olympiastadion.


1987–88 Manchester United F.C. season, Events of the season
His hopes of signing the Rangers and England defender Terry Butcher were dashed when Rangers manager Graeme Souness offered him a lucrative contract to stay at Ibrox until at least 1993.


1987–88 Manchester United F.C. season, Events of the season
On a tour of Bermuda in late November, winger Clayton Blackmore was arrested on allegations of rape but swiftly released from custody after no charges were brought against him.


1987–88 Manchester United F.C. season, Events of the season
Alex Ferguson then made a £750,000 bid to bring Steve Bruce to Manchester United from Norwich City, but the offer was rejected. Ferguson had turned his attention back to Bruce following his failure to secure Terry Butcher, having originally been put off Bruce by Norwich's £1 million price tag. A second bid for Steve Bruce - reported to be in the region of £850,000 - was then made, but again rejected. The transfer was finally completed on 18 December at a cost of £900,000 transfer from Norwich City to Manchester United.


1987–88 Manchester United F.C. season, Events of the season
Ferguson then looked to boost his attack with an offer for Luton Town striker Mick Harford, but the player decided to remain at Kenilworth Road after manager Ray Harford offered him a four-year contract.


1987–88 Manchester United F.C. season, Events of the season
On 10 January 1988, Manchester United's FA Cup quest began with a 2–1 over Ipswich Town in the third round at Portman Road. 10 days later, their hopes of Football League Cup glory were ended by a 2–0 defeat at Oxford United in the quarter-final.


1987–88 Manchester United F.C. season, Events of the season
By the end of the month, however, they had progressed to the FA Cup fifth round with a 2–0 home win over Chelsea.


1987–88 Manchester United F.C. season, Events of the season
The FA Cup dream ended, however, on 20 February, when they suffered a 2–1 defeat at Arsenal in the fifth round. Brian McClair, the club's leading goalscorer, missed a late penalty that would have forced a replay.


1987–88 Manchester United F.C. season, Events of the season
Norman Whiteside, who had spent his whole seven-year playing career at Manchester United, handed in a transfer request near the end of March and spoke of his desire to play football in a foreign country.


1987–88 Manchester United F.C. season, Events of the season
On 4 April, Manchester United pulled off a remarkable 3–3 draw with Liverpool at Anfield in a First Division game which Liverpool had led 3–1 at half time. Manchester United trailed Liverpool, who have two games in hand, by 11 points as they still had five games left to play, so Liverpool inevitably clinched the title within three weeks of this game and United had to settle for second place.


1987–88 Manchester United F.C. season, Events of the season
On 18 April, Ferguson agreed a deal for Lee Sharpe, the 16-year-old Torquay United winger, for £200,000 - a record fee for a YTS player.


1987–88 Manchester United F.C. season, Events of the season
After the end of the season, Ferguson brought Mark Hughes back to Manchester United for a club record fee of £1.8 million and also signed Aberdeen and Scotland goalkeeper Jim Leighton for £500,000. Newcastle United midfielder Paul Gascoigne had looked set to join Manchester United, but then spurned them for a national record £2 million move to Tottenham Hotspur.


1987–88 Mansfield Town F.C. season
The 1987–88 season was Mansfield Town's 51st season in the Football League and 17th in the Third Division they finished in 19th position with 54 points.


1987–88 Marquette Warriors men's basketball team
The 1987–88 Marquette Warriors men's basketball team represented Marquette University during the 1987–88 men's college basketball season. The Warriors finished the regular season with a record of 10–18. This was also their final season playing at MECCA Arena.


1987–88 Mexican Primera División season, Overview
It was contested by 20 teams, and América won the championship.


1987–88 Mexican Primera División season, Moves
After the season Correcaminos bought the Deportivo Neza franchise in order to remain in Primera Division.


1987–88 Mexican Primera División season, Moves
Ángeles was sold and transferred to Torreón and was made into Santos.


1987–88 Mexican Segunda División season
The 1987–88 Segunda División was the 39th season of the Mexican Segunda División. The season started on 14 August 1987 and concluded on 12 July 1988. It was won by Cobras.


1987–88 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team
This is the current revision of this page, as edited by PrimeBOT (talk | contribs) at 00:40, 21 June 2020 (→Schedule and results: Task 30 - remove deprecated parameter in Template:CBB schedule entry). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this version.


1987–88 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team
The 1987–88 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team represented Michigan State University in the 1987–88 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The team played their home games at Jenison Field House in East Lansing, Michigan and were members of the Big Ten Conference. They were coached by Jud Heathcote in his 12th year at Michigan State. The Spartans finished with an overall record of 10–18, 5–13 to finish in eighth place in Big Ten play.


1987–88 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team, Previous season
The Spartans finished the 1987–88 season with an overall record of 11–17, 6–12 to finish in seventh place in Big Ten play.


1987–88 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team
The 1987–88 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team represented the University of Michigan in intercollegiate college basketball during the 1987–88 season. The team played its home games in the Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and was a member of the Big Ten Conference. Under the direction of head coach Bill Frieder, the team finished second in the Big Ten Conference. The team earned the number three seed in the 1988 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament where it advanced two rounds before losing. The team was ranked all seventeen weeks of the season in the Associated Press Top Twenty Poll where it began the season at number nine, ended at number ten and peaked at number seven. and it also ended the season ranked tenth in the final UPI Coaches' Poll.


1987–88 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team
The team was the national statistical champion in team field goal percentage (54.6%, 1198 of 2196). The team established the current Big Ten Conference records for team single-game assists by twice totaling 37 (vs. Western Michigan December 7, 1987, and vs. Eastern Michigan December 12, 1987) as well as the current team assist record for conference games with 36 (vs. Iowa February 3, 1988). The team also established Big Ten team records for single-season field goals made (1198), and single-season assists (694, 1987–88) that it would surpass the following season. It also set the single-game (conference games only) three-point field goal percentage record that would only last one night (.875, 7 of 8, vs. Iowa February 3, 1988).


1987–88 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team
Glen Rice was the conference scoring champion with a 22.9 points per game average in conference games, while Gary Grant led the conference in both steals and assists with 2.72 and 6.5 averages, respectively in conference games. Grant served as team captain and shared team MVP with Rice. Grant earned consensus All-American recognition.


1987–88 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team
The team set a new school record by totaling 2973 points over the course of the season, surpassing the record of 2821 set the prior year. The record would be rebroken the following season. Loy Vaught also set the Michigan single field goal percentage record at 62.18% which he would break the following season. For the fourth of five consecutive seasons, the team set the school record for single-season field goal percentage on with a 54.6% (1198-for-2196) performance. Grant set the individual single-season three-point field goal percentage record of 48.53%, but it was eclipsed the following season by Glen Rice.


1987–88 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team
Also against Iowa on February 3, the team set the current three-point field goal single game percentage record by making 7 of its eight attempts, surpassing the December 6, 1986, record of 75%. Gary Grant's established the current school record when his single-season total of 234 assists surpassed his own school record total of 185 that he set two years earlier. His 731 career assists also established the current school record, surpassing Antoine Joubert's 539 set the prior season.


1987–88 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team
He also surpassed Dave Baxter's school single season average set in 1978 of 6.59 with the current record of 6.88 assists per game and Eric Turner's 1984 career average of 5.00 per game with a 5.67 average that was surpassed in 1990 by Rumeal Robinson. For the second of three consecutive seasons, the team set the school single-season total assist record with a total of 694, surpassing the prior total of 652. Grant's current school record total 14 assists in a game on December 7, 1987, against Western Michigan and he repeated the feat on December 19 against Northern Michigan.


1987–88 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team
This surpassed Mark Bodnar and Antoine Joubert, who had each posted 13 assists in a game previously. Grant's career steals total of 300 and average of 2.33 surpassed Thad Garner's 1982 statistics and remain school records. Gary Grant career total of 4231 minutes surpassed Joubert's school record total of 3960 set the prior year. Louis Bullock would break the record in 1999. Gary Grant ended his career with 129 games played and 128 games started, which surpassed Joubert's 1987 school records of 127 games and  115 starts. Glen Rice and Louis Bullock would surpass these records for games and starts in 1989 and 1999, respectively.


1987–88 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team
In the 64-team NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, number three seeded Michigan advanced two rounds by defeating the fourteen-seeded Boise State Broncos 63–58 and the six-seeded Florida Gators 108–85. In the third round the team was defeated by two-seeded North Carolina 78–69.


1987–88 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team, Team players drafted into the NBA
Six players from this team were selected in the NBA Draft.


1987–88 Midland Football Combination
The 1987–88 Midland Football Combination season was the 51st in the history of Midland Football Combination, a football competition in England.


1987–88 Midland Football Combination, Premier Division
The Premier Division featured 17 clubs which competed in the division last season, along with two new clubs:


1987–88 Milwaukee Bucks season
The 1987-88 NBA season was the Bucks' 20th season in the NBA. The Bucks finished fourth in the Central Division with a 42–40 record. In the first round of the playoffs, they lost in five games to the Atlanta Hawks. This was also their final season playing at MECCA Arena.


1987–88 Minnesota North Stars season
The 1987–88 Minnesota North Stars season was the North Stars' 21st season. It saw the North Stars finish fifth in the Norris Division with a record of 19 wins, 48 losses, and 13 ties for 51 points — the worst record in the league. They failed to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second consecutive season.


1987–88 Minnesota North Stars season
Despite finishing with the third-lowest winning percentage (at .319) and second-fewest wins in franchise history, they were actually still in contention for a playoff spot going into the last game of the season due to playing in an extremely weak Norris Division; the division champion Detroit Red Wings were the only team with a winning record. The Stars lost to the Calgary Flames on the season's final day and finished last in scoring (242 goals for) and penalty-killing percentage (75.23%). Earlier, the Toronto Maple Leafs, who were tied with the Stars for the fourth spot in the Norris as the day began, beat the Red Wings. This not only kept the Stars out of the playoffs, but assured them of the worst record in the league.


1987–88 Minnesota North Stars season
The leading scorer for the North Stars in 1987–88 was Dino Ciccarelli. However, he became involved in controversy when, on January 6, 1988, he struck Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Luke Richardson with his stick in a game at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. Ciccarelli was arrested and charged with assault; he was eventually fined $1000 and sentenced to one day in jail.


1987–88 Minnesota North Stars season
1987 Camp selected playersColin Chisholm,Ken Hodge,Shawn Chambers,Dean Kolstad,Larry Dyck,Dan Gatenby,Paul Josiwak,Jeff Cornelius,Scott McCrady,Brian McKee,Gary Shopek,Rick Brebant,Wally Chapman,John DePalma,Gary McColgan,D'arcy Norton,Rob Nichols,Donald Schmidt,George Servinis,Kirk Tomlinson,Byron Lomow,Mitch Messier,Paul Micheletti,Dwaine Hutton,Kevin Evans,Jim Archibald,Warren Babe,Rick Boh,Darin MacInnis,Gary Sheperd,Doug Voss,Rob Zettler,Todd Carlile,David Emerson,Mark rice,Scott Korowin,Emanuel Viveiros,Neil wilkenson,Chuck Brimmer,Bobby Curtis,Garth Joy,Kevin Kaminski,Stéphane Roy,Bill Terry,Gary Benard,Malcolm Parks,Sean Toomey,David Lindsay,Tim Helmer,David Quinn,


1987–88 Minnesota North Stars season, Regular season, Final standings
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against


1987–88 Minnesota North Stars season, Regular season, Final standings
Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.


1987–88 Minnesota North Stars season, Player statistics, Forwards
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes


1987–88 Minnesota North Stars season, Player statistics, Defencemen
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes


1987–88 Minnesota North Stars season, Player statistics, Goaltending
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average


1987–88 Minnesota Strikers season
The 1987–88 Minnesota Strikers season of the Major Indoor Soccer League was the fourth season of the team in the indoor league, and the club's twenty-first season in professional soccer. This year, the team finished first in the Eastern Division of the regular season. They made it to the playoffs and were a semifinalist. This was the last year of the team as the club folded it and moved back to Fort Lauderdale. There, the club fielded a new outdoor team named the Fort Lauderdale Strikers for the 1988 season of the new American Soccer League.


1987–88 Montreal Canadiens season
The 1987–88 Montreal Canadiens season was the team's 79th season. The club qualified for the playoffs, defeated the Hartford Whalers in the first round, but were eliminated in the Adams Division finals versus the Boston Bruins four games to one.


1987–88 Montreal Canadiens season, Regular season
Defensively, the Canadiens were the best team in the league, finishing the regular season with just 238 goals against. They also allowed the fewest power-play goals, with just 64


1987–88 Montreal Canadiens season, Regular season, Final standings
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals againstNote: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.


1987–88 Montreal Canadiens season, Playoffs, Adams Division semi-finals
The Habs almost squandered a 3–0 series lead. The deep Habs roster was the best team in the Wales Conference during the season, consisting of six 20–goal scorers and another six with between 10 and 20 goals. Their best assets were goaltenders Patrick Roy and backup Brian Hayward who won 23 and 22 games respectively. The Ron Francis-led Whalers went 2–4–2 against the Canadiens during the season, twice losing by just one goal.


1987–88 Montreal Canadiens season, Playoffs, Adams Division finals
The Wales Conference's two best teams, and the NHL's two best defensive teams, met in this series with equal rest time. The Habs had beaten Boston in the Adams Division Semi-Finals four years in a row, sweeping the Bruins in three of the past four seasons, and beating them 3–2 in a best-of-five the other year. This time, the Bruins' defence would wear down Montreal, as Ken Linseman, Ray Bourque and Cam Neely provided the offence to finally conquer the Canadiens. It was the first Bruins' playoff series win over the Habs in 44 seasons.


1987–88 Montreal Canadiens season, Draft picks
Montreal's draft picks at the 1987 NHL Entry Draft held at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan.


1987–88 Moroccan Throne Cup
The 1987–88 season of the Moroccan Throne Cup was the 32nd edition of the competition.


1987–88 Moroccan Throne Cup
Maghreb de Fès won the cup, beating FAR de Rabat 4–2 on penalties after a 0–0 draw in the final, played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Maghreb de Fès won the tournament for the second time in their history.


1987–88 Moroccan Throne Cup, Competition, Final
The final was played between the two winning semi-finalists, Maghreb de Fès and FAR de Rabat, on 11 September 1988 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.


1987–88 NBA season
The 1987–88 NBA season was the 42nd season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Los Angeles Lakers winning their second straight Championship, beating the Detroit Pistons in seven hard-fought games in the NBA Finals, becoming the NBA's first repeat champions since the Boston Celtics did it in the 1968–69 NBA season.


1987–88 NBA season, Playoffs
Teams in bold advanced to the next round. The numbers to the left of each team indicate the team's seeding in its conference, and the numbers to the right indicate the number of games the team won in that round. The division champions are marked by an asterisk. Home court advantage does not necessarily belong to the higher-seeded team, but instead the team with the better regular season record; teams enjoying the home advantage are shown in italics.


1987–88 NBA season, NBA awards, Yearly awards
Note: All information on this page was obtained on the History section on


1987–88 NBA season, NBA awards, Player of the week
The following players were named NBA Player of the Week.


1987–88 NBA season, NBA awards, Player of the month
The following players were named NBA Player of the Month.


1987–88 NBA season, NBA awards, Rookie of the month
The following players were named NBA Rookie of the Month.


1987–88 NBA season, NBA awards, Coach of the month
The following coaches were named NBA Coach of the Month.


1987–88 NC State Wolfpack men's basketball team
The 1987–88 NC State Wolfpack men's basketball team represented North Carolina State University during the 1987–88 men's college basketball season. It was Jim Valvano's 8th season as head coach.


1987–88 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings
The 1987–88 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings was made up of two human polls, the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll, in addition to various other preseason polls.


1987–88 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
The 1987–88 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began in November 1987 and ended with the Final Four in Kansas City, Missouri on April 4, 1988.


1987–88 NCAA Division I men's basketball season, Season outlook, Pre-season polls
The top 20 from the AP Poll during the pre-season.


1987–88 NCAA Division I men's basketball season, Coaching changes
A number of teams changed coaches during the season and after it ended.


1987–88 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season
The 1987–88 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season began in October 1987 and concluded with the 1988 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament's championship game on April 2, 1988 at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid, New York. This was the 41st season in which an NCAA ice hockey championship was held and is the 93rd year overall where an NCAA school fielded a team.


1987–88 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season
After the season U.S. International would drop its hockey program (the school itself would eventually go bankrupt) causing the demise of the Great West Hockey Conference, the only principally west-coast conference in the history of Division I hockey.


1987–88 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season, Player stats, Scoring leaders
The following players led the league in points at the conclusion of the season.


1987–88 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season, Player stats, Scoring leaders
GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes


1987–88 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season, Player stats, Leading goaltenders
The following goaltenders led the league in goals against average at the end of the regular season while playing at least 33% of their team's total minutes.


1987–88 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season, Player stats, Leading goaltenders
GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime/shootout losses; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average


1987–88 NCAA Division I women's basketball rankings
Two human polls comprise the 1987–88 NCAA Division I women's basketball rankings, the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll, in addition to various publications' preseason polls. The AP poll is currently a poll of sportswriters, while the USA Today Coaches' Poll is a poll of college coaches. The AP conducts polls weekly through the end of the regular season and conference play, while the Coaches poll conducts a final, post-NCAA tournament poll as well.


1987–88 NCAA Division III men's ice hockey season
The 1987–88 NCAA Division III men's ice hockey season began in October 1987 and concluded on March 25 of the following year. This was the 15th season of Division III college ice hockey.


1987–88 NCAA Division III men's ice hockey season
In 1990 the NCAA ruled that Plattsburgh State had violated regulations by allowing some of their players to reside in houses owned by people invested in the ice hockey program and were provided with some measure of benefits including free housing, free meals and cash loans. Because these violations occurred between 1985 and 1988 Plattsburgh State's participation in all NCAA games during that time was vacated.


1987–88 NCAA Division III men's ice hockey season
Merrimack became the first non-Division I program to receive a bid to the Division I Tournament. As of 2019 no other school outside the top tier has made an appearance in the national championship. The Warriors made the most of their chance, winning two games and reaching the quarterfinals before falling to the eventual national champion Lake Superior State.


1987–88 NCAA Division III men's ice hockey season, 1988 NCAA Tournament
Note: * denotes overtime period(s)Note: † Plattsburgh State's participation in the tournament was later vacated by the NCAA


1987–88 NCAA football bowl games
The 1987–88 NCAA football bowl games concluded the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season, featuring 18 games. Twenty ranked teams participated, and seven of the eighteen matchups were between two ranked teams. The Miami Hurricanes were declared the national champions, after upsetting #1 Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.


1987–88 NCAA football bowl games
Seventeen of the bowl games ended with a winner, while there was a lone tie (Auburn vs Syracuse in the Sugar Bowl).


1987–88 NCAA football bowl games
Nine independent teams competed, along with six SEC teams, four Big Ten, four Pac-10, three WAC, three Big 8, three SWC, two ACC, one MAC, and one PCAA.


1987–88 NCAA football bowl games
The largest margin of victory occurred twice; Clemson beat Penn State and Texas A&M beat Notre Dame, both 35-10.


1987–88 NCAA football bowl games
The "bowl week" started on December 13 with the California Bowl, and concluded on January 2, 1988 with the Hall of Fame Bowl and the Peach Bowl.


1987–88 NFL playoffs
The National Football League playoffs for the 1987 season began on January 3, 1988. The postseason tournament concluded with the Washington Redskins defeating the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXII, 42–10, on January 31, at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Participants
Within each conference, the three division winners and the two wild card teams (the top two non-division winners with the best overall regular season records) qualified for the playoffs. The three division winners were seeded 1 through 3 based on their overall won-lost-tied record, and the wild card teams were seeded 4 and 5. The NFL did not use a fixed bracket playoff system. In the first round, dubbed the wild-card playoffs or wild-card weekend, the fourth seed wild card hosted the fifth seed. All three division winners from each conference then received a bye in the first round.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Participants
The second round, the divisional playoffs, had a restriction where two teams from the same division cannot meet: the surviving wild card team visited the division champion outside its own division that had the higher seed, and the remaining two teams from that conference played each other. The two surviving teams from each conference's divisional playoff games then meet in the respective AFC and NFC Conference Championship games, hosted by the higher seed. Although the Super Bowl, the fourth and final round of the playoffs, was played at a neutral site, the designated home team was based on an annual rotation by conference.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Schedule
In the United States, NBC broadcast the AFC playoff games, CBS televised the NFC games, and ABC covered Super Bowl XXII.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 3, 1988, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 44, New Orleans Saints 10
In the Saints' first playoff game (and first winning season) in history, the Vikings dominated the game by recording two sacks, forcing six turnovers, and allowing only 149 yards. It was a stunning victory for the underdog Vikings, who had barely made the playoffs with an 8–7 record after losing three of their last four games, including their season ending match at home against the Washington Redskins in which they blew a 10-point fourth quarter lead, costing them a chance to clinch a playoff slot.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 3, 1988, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 44, New Orleans Saints 10
The Vikings would spend the rest of the day pondering their prospects until a Dallas win over St. Louis enabled them to snag the NFC's lowest postseason seed. The Vikings had also been plagued with quarterback problems all year, starting three different quarterbacks during the season. Wade Wilson had the most starts with 7, but coach Jerry Burns decided to start Tommy Kramer, who had been through so many injuries he had only started in 5 regular season games and had not finished any of them. Meanwhile, the Saints had the NFL's second best record at 12-3 and came into this game on a 9-game winning streak.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 3, 1988, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 44, New Orleans Saints 10
New Orleans scored first after Vikings quarterback Kramer's fumble on a bad snap led to Saints quarterback Bobby Hebert's 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Eric Martin. Then, Kramer was sacked and the Vikings had to punt, but Saints returner Mel Gray accidentally hit the ball while trying to avoid it and the Vikings recovered on the New Orleans 27, leading to Chuck Nelson's 42-yard field goal. Kramer had to leave the game on the next drive with a pinched nerve in his neck, but the team would go on to win easily without him. Later in the quarter, they went up 10-7 when Anthony Carter returned a Saints punt for an 84-yard touchdown, setting a playoff record for the longest punt return TD.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 3, 1988, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 44, New Orleans Saints 10
In the second quarter, Vikings running back Darrin Nelson caught a screen pass from Wilson on 3rd and 10, and took off for a 37-yard gain to the Saints 1-yard line, setting up Wilson's 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Steve Jordan. Then on Minnesota's next drive, running back Allen Rice threw a 10-yard touchdown to Carter on a halfback option play.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 3, 1988, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 44, New Orleans Saints 10
Saints kicker Morten Andersen cut the score to 24–10 with a 40-yard field goal, but John Harris' interception of a Hebert pass on the Saints 35 led to Wilson's 44-yard touchdown completion on a "Hail Mary" pass to Hassan Jones on the last play of the first half. Time had expired on the previous play, but the Saints were penalized for having 12 men on the field, giving the Vikings one more play with no time left on the clock.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 3, 1988, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 44, New Orleans Saints 10
The Vikings went on the dominate the second half, scoring two more Nelson field goals and an 18-yard touchdown run by D. J. Dozier.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 3, 1988, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 44, New Orleans Saints 10
Carter, who had only returned three punts during the season, finished the game with six punt returns for a playoff record 143 yards, and also caught six passes for 79 yards and another score. Wilson finished the game completing 11 of 20 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 3, 1988, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 44, New Orleans Saints 10
This was the first postseason meeting between the Vikings and Saints.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 3, 1988, AFC: Houston Oilers 23, Seattle Seahawks 20 (OT)
Oilers kicker Tony Zendejas won the game with a 42-yard field goal 8:05 into overtime. Although Houston outgained Seattle with 427 total offensive yards to 250,  and Seattle was playing without star running back Curt Warner due to injury, the game remained close until the very end.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 3, 1988, AFC: Houston Oilers 23, Seattle Seahawks 20 (OT)
On the opening drive of the game, Seattle cornerback Melvin Jenkins intercepted Warren Moon's pass and returned it 28 yards to the Houston 46. Seahawks quarterback Dave Krieg then hit Steve Largent for a 33-yard completion, and eventually found him in the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown pass. This would be the extent of Seattle's first half success, as they gained just three yards with their next four possessions. Meanwhile, the Oilers responded with 13 unanswered points with two field goals by Zendejas (from 47 and 49 yards) and running back Mike Rozier's 1-yard rushing touchdown.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 3, 1988, AFC: Houston Oilers 23, Seattle Seahawks 20 (OT)
In the third quarter, Seattle running back Bobby Joe Edmonds returned a punt 54 yards to set up Norm Johnson's 33-yard field goal. Then a short Houston punt enabled Seattle to tie the game at 13 with Johnson's 41-yard kick at the end of the drive that went just 16 yards. Later in the third quarter, Moon threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Willie Drewrey to give his team a 20–13 lead.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 3, 1988, AFC: Houston Oilers 23, Seattle Seahawks 20 (OT)
Houston later had two chances to put the game away in the fourth quarter, but Zendejas hit the uprights on a 52-yard field goal, and later missed a kick from 29 yards out. With only 1:47 left in regulation, Krieg started an 80-yard drive that included a 10-yard completion to Largent on fourth and 10. Krieg then picked up 26 yards on another completion to Largent, and followed it up with a 32-yard pass to Ray Butler on the Houston 12. On the next play, he finished it with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Largent, tying the game with 26 seconds left.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 3, 1988, AFC: Houston Oilers 23, Seattle Seahawks 20 (OT)
Seattle won the coin toss in overtime, but had to punt. On Houston's ensuing drive, Seattle defensive back Fredd Young appeared to intercept a deflected pass; one official ruled a catch, but he was overruled and the call was not overturned by replay review, allowing Houston to keep the ball and drive to Zendejas' game winning score.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 3, 1988, AFC: Houston Oilers 23, Seattle Seahawks 20 (OT)
After the game, replay official Tony Veteri explained the call on Young's potential interception: "We could not tell whether the ball hit or not so we had to go with the call on the field. We did not get a clear-cut view of whether {Young} caught the ball before it hit the ground. Part of his arm covered up the ball. So we had to go with the call on the field." However, Young was livid:  "It was as clean as you can catch a ball," he said. "There was no possible way that ball hit the ground. I know I had it."


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 3, 1988, AFC: Houston Oilers 23, Seattle Seahawks 20 (OT)
Largent finished the game with seven receptions for 132 yards and two touchdowns, accounting for more than half his team's offense. Edmonds returned five kickoffs for 109 yards and three punts for 66. Moon completed 21 of 32 passes for 273 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. It was Houston's first playoff win since 1979, added on to their first winning season since 1980.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, January 3, 1988, AFC: Houston Oilers 23, Seattle Seahawks 20 (OT)
This was the first postseason meeting between the Seahawks and Oilers.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 9, 1988, AFC: Cleveland Browns 38, Indianapolis Colts 21
Browns defensive back Felix Wright's interception deep inside his own territory sparked his team to score 17 unanswered points.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 9, 1988, AFC: Cleveland Browns 38, Indianapolis Colts 21
Cleveland started off the game with a 15-play, 86-yard drive, converting five third downs on the way to Bernie Kosar's 15-yard touchdown pass to Earnest Byner. The Colts stormed right back, as quarterback Jack Trudeau threw completions for gains of 18 and 21 yards before finishing the drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Pat Beach. Cleveland responded by driving from their own 35 to the Indianapolis 2-yard line, but on third down and goal, Colts safety Freddie Robinson intercepted Kosar's pass in the end zone.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 9, 1988, AFC: Cleveland Browns 38, Indianapolis Colts 21
After an exchange of punts, the Browns took a 14–7 lead on Kosar's 39-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Langhorne with 1:51 left in the second quarter. Once again, the Colts responded with a touchdown of their own, moving the ball 59 yards in seven plays and tying the score on Trudeau's 19-yard touchdown pass to Eric Dickerson with 40 seconds left in the half.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 9, 1988, AFC: Cleveland Browns 38, Indianapolis Colts 21
Indianapolis took the second half kickoff and stormed down the field, overcoming some blown plays along the way. During the drive, Trudeau was sacked for an 11-yard loss on second down and 11, but a defensive holding penalty negated the play and gave the Colts a first down. Later on, Dickerson fumbled the ball, but Trudeau picked it up and threw a 15-yard first down completion to Bill Brooks. Eventually, Indianapolis reached the Browns 20-yard line, but linebacker Eddie Johnson hit Trudeau as he threw a pass, causing the ball to go straight up in the air where it was intercepted by Wright at the 14.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 9, 1988, AFC: Cleveland Browns 38, Indianapolis Colts 21
After the interception, Kosar completed five of seven passes for 65 yards while Byner rushed six times for 20 and capped off the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, putting the Browns back in the lead, 21–14. Then after forcing a punt, Matt Bahr's 22-yard field goal gave the Browns a 10-point lead with just over 11 minutes left in the game. Following another punt, Byner fumbled the ball on a 25-yard run, but running back Herman Fontenot recovered the ball at the Colts 6-yard line, turning the play into a 41-yard gain. Three plays later, Kosar's 2-yard touchdown pass to receiver Brian Brennan made the score 31–14 with 3:44 left.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 9, 1988, AFC: Cleveland Browns 38, Indianapolis Colts 21
However, the Colts were not quite out of the game. With 1:07 left in regulation, Albert Bentley's 1-yard touchdown run cut the score to 31–21. Then Indianapolis recovered an onside kick on their own 41-yard line. But on the first play after that, Browns defensive end Al Baker sacked Trudeau for a 9-yard loss, knocking him out of the game. One play later, backup quarterback Sean Salisbury's pass was intercepted by Frank Minnifield, who returned the ball 48 yards for a touchdown to put the game away.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 9, 1988, AFC: Cleveland Browns 38, Indianapolis Colts 21
Byner finished the game with 122 rushing yards, four receptions for 36 yards, and two touchdowns. Kosar completed 20 of 31 passes for 229 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 9, 1988, AFC: Cleveland Browns 38, Indianapolis Colts 21
This was the fourth postseason meeting between the Colts and Browns. The Colts won two of the prior three meetings when they were based in Baltimore.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 9, 1988, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 36, San Francisco 49ers 24
Aided by wide receiver Anthony Carter's 10 receptions for an NFL playoff record 227 receiving yards, the Vikings upset the top seeded 49ers, who had earned the league's best record during the regular season at 13–2.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 9, 1988, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 36, San Francisco 49ers 24
Minnesota drove 77 yards on their opening drive, including an 11-yard run by quarterback Wade Wilson out of shotgun formation on third and 7, to score on Chuck Nelson's 21-yard field goal. Then after an exchange of punts, 49ers quarterback Joe Montana's completions to Roger Craig and John Taylor for gains of 18 and 33 yards helped advance the ball 74 yards in 10 plays to tie the game on a 34-yard field goal from Ray Wersching.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 9, 1988, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 36, San Francisco 49ers 24
Minnesota broke the tie in the second quarter with 17 unanswered points. First Wilson completed two passes to Carter for 23 total yards and rushed for 12 on a 70-yard drive that he finished with a 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end Carl Hilton. Following a 49ers punt, Wilson's 63-yard completion to Carter set up a second Nelson field goal, increasing the Vikings lead to 13–3. Then safety Reggie Rutland intercepted a pass from Montana and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown. The 49ers had a chance to cut into the lead before halftime, but Wersching missed a 26-yard field goal attempt, and the score would remain 20–3.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 9, 1988, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 36, San Francisco 49ers 24
49ers safety Jeff Fuller returned an interception 48 yards for a touchdown early in the third quarter, but the Vikings stormed right back, with Carter gaining 30 yards on an end around play as the team drove 68 yards to score on Wilson's short touchdown pass to Hassan Jones, making the score 27–10. Later on, San Francisco coach Bill Walsh had enough of Montana and replaced him with Steve Young.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 9, 1988, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 36, San Francisco 49ers 24
The decision appeared to pay off, as Young hooked up with Craig for a 31-yard completion and later took the ball into the end zone himself on a 5-yard run, cutting their deficit to 27–17. But Minnesota countered with Wilson's 40-yard completion to Carter that set up Nelson's third field goal of the day. Wersching missed a 48-yard field goal on San Francisco's next drive, and the team would go into the final quarter still trailing 30–17.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 9, 1988, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 36, San Francisco 49ers 24
In the fourth quarter, Fuller was nailed with a 15-yard facemask penalty while tackling Vikings running back Allen Rice after he gained 19 yards on a screen pass, setting up Nelson's 46-yard field goal to put the Vikings up 33–17. Then defensive back Carl Lee intercepted a pass from Young, allowing Minnesota to run more time off the clock. Following a punt, Young led the 49ers 68 yards in eight plays to score on a 16-yard touchdown pass to tight end John Frank, but by then there was only 3:42 left in the game. Nelson later kicked a postseason record fifth field goal, this one from 46 yards, to completely dash any hope of a miracle comeback.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 9, 1988, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 36, San Francisco 49ers 24
In addition to his 227 receiving yards, Carter had a 30-yard carry and returned two punts for 21 yards. Vikings lineman Chris Doleman had two sacks. Wilson completed 20/34 passes for 298 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception. Nelson finished the day a perfect 5/5 on field goals, a notable contrast to his lowly 13/24 performance during the regular season. Montana was held to just 12/26 completions for 109 yards with one interception.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 9, 1988, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 36, San Francisco 49ers 24
Young had a solid performance with 12/17 completions for 158 yards and a touchdown, with one interception, while also leading San Francisco in rushing with 72 yards on six carries. It was a sign of what lay in store for 49ers fans, as they would watch him and Montana compete fiercely for the starting quarterback job until Young inherited the starting position when Joe Montana suffered a serious elbow injury during the 1991 preseason.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 9, 1988, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 36, San Francisco 49ers 24
Until the 2007–08 NFL playoffs with the Cowboys losing to the Giants, this was the last time the No. 1 seed in the NFC did not advance to the NFC Championship Game. After the Cowboys loss, three of the next four No. 1 seeds in the NFC would lose their first playoff game (2008 Giants, 2010 Falcons and 2011 Packers).


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 9, 1988, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 36, San Francisco 49ers 24
This was the second postseason meeting between the Vikings and 49ers. San Francisco won the only previous meeting.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 10, 1988, NFC: Washington Redskins 21, Chicago Bears 17
The Redskins overcame a 14–0 Bears lead by scoring three touchdowns. Early in the first quarter, Chicago's Richard Dent forced a fumble from Washington quarterback Doug Williams that defensive tackle Steve McMichael recovered on the Redskins 30-yard line, leading to running back Calvin Thomas' 2-yard touchdown run. Later on, Washington running back George Rogers was tackled for a 1-yard loss while trying to convert a fourth and 1 from the Chicago 32-yard line. The Bears then drove 67 yards on a drive that consumed 9:04 and ended with Jim McMahon throwing a 14-yard touchdown pass to Ron Morris.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 10, 1988, NFC: Washington Redskins 21, Chicago Bears 17
However, Washington tied the game before halftime. First, Williams' 32-yard completion to Ricky Sanders on third down and nine and his 14-yard completion to tight end Clint Didier set up a 3-yard touchdown run by Rogers with 4:51 left in the half. Then after Chicago kicker Kevin Butler missed a 48-yard field goal, Washington got the ball back with 1:51 and made a big play when a late hit by cornerback Maurice Douglass turned a 13-yard catch by Sanders into a 28-yard gain. After two receptions by Gary Clark for 23 yards, Williams tied the game with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Didier.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 10, 1988, NFC: Washington Redskins 21, Chicago Bears 17
With 11:40 left in the third quarter, Redskins cornerback Darrell Green scored on a 52-yard punt return for a touchdown (Green injured his ribs hurdling over a Chicago defender en route to the end zone). Chicago responded with a 44-yard reception by Willie Gault that set up Butler's 25-yard field goal with 4:41 remaining in the quarter, but were shut down for the rest of the game. Green would return for just one play before leaving as a result of his injury, but Washington's defense still held on to their lead without him, intercepting three passes from McMahon in the second half.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 10, 1988, NFC: Washington Redskins 21, Chicago Bears 17
Early in the fourth quarter, Washington drove into the Bears' red zone and sent their special teams unit to attempt a 35-yard field goal. Backup quarterback Jay Schroeder, who was the holder on the play, called an audible for a fake field goal, but due to the roaring crowd at Soldier Field, his receivers didn't hear the call. As a result, he had no one to throw to after the snap, and slipped on the 25-yard line while trying to run for a first down. Chicago then took over and drove to the Washington 14-yard line.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 10, 1988, NFC: Washington Redskins 21, Chicago Bears 17
But with just over nine minutes left in the game, McMahon's pass was intercepted by Barry Wilburn in the end zone. Later on, McMahon was intercepted again, this time by Dennis Woodberry at the Chicago 43. Three plays later, Washington attempted to put the game away with a quarterback sneak on fourth and inches, but Williams was stopped short with 1:13 left, giving the Bears one last chance to drive for a winning score. However, the Redskins defense again rose to the occasion, forcing Walter Payton out of bounds one yard short of the first-down marker on fourth down and 8.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 10, 1988, NFC: Washington Redskins 21, Chicago Bears 17
This was the final game in the Hall of Fame career of Payton, who rushed for 85 yards and caught three passes for 20 yards. With this win, Joe Gibbs advanced to his fourth NFC Championship Game in his seven years as the Redskins head coach.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 10, 1988, NFC: Washington Redskins 21, Chicago Bears 17
This game, along with the earlier win by the Vikings over the 49ers, would mark the first time the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds in a conference both lost. The feat has only been done twice more, in the AFC in the 2006–07 NFL playoffs with the Colts and Patriots beating the Ravens and Chargers, and again in the NFC in the 2008–09 NFL playoffs with the Cardinals beating the Panthers and Eagles defeating the Giants.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 10, 1988, NFC: Washington Redskins 21, Chicago Bears 17
This was the seventh postseason meeting between the Redskins and Bears. Both teams split the previous six meetings.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 10, 1988, AFC: Denver Broncos 34, Houston Oilers 10
The Broncos jumped to an early 14–0 lead by converting two turnovers into touchdowns.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 10, 1988, AFC: Denver Broncos 34, Houston Oilers 10
On the second play of the game, Denver defensive back Steve Wilson recovered a fumbled lateral pass by running back Mike Rozier (the play was referred to as the "Stagger Lee" play after the 1923 folk song) at the Houston 1-yard line, setting up Gene Lang's 1-yard touchdown run. Then on the Oilers next drive, they drove 60 yards to the Denver 20, only to lose the ball when linebacker Karl Mecklenburg intercepted a pass from Warren Moon and returned it 18 yards to the Broncos 28-yard line.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 10, 1988, AFC: Denver Broncos 34, Houston Oilers 10
Denver quarterback John Elway hooked up with tight end Clarence Kay for a 29-yard completion on the next play. Five plays later, he completed a 27-yard pass to Kay for a touchdown that gave Denver a 14–0 lead. Both teams exchanged field goals in the second quarter before Elway threw a 1-yard touchdown to Kay.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 10, 1988, AFC: Denver Broncos 34, Houston Oilers 10
In the third quarter, with Denver up 27–3, the Oilers drove to the Broncos 7-yard line, but lost the ball again with a Moon pass that Mark Haynes intercepted and returned 57 yards. In the fourth quarter, Moon completed a 19-yard touchdown to wide receiver Ernest Givins, but it was countered with Elway's 3-yard touchdown run.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 10, 1988, AFC: Denver Broncos 34, Houston Oilers 10
Broncos receiver Vance Johnson caught four passes for 105 yards, but was injured in the game and had to miss the AFC Championship Game and saw limited action in Super Bowl XXII. Mike Harden, starting at strong safety in place of an injured Dennis Smith, was knocked out of the game himself with a broken right forearm.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 10, 1988, AFC: Denver Broncos 34, Houston Oilers 10
This was the second postseason meeting between the Oilers and Broncos. Houston won the only previous meeting.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 17, 1988, NFC: Washington Redskins 17, Minnesota Vikings 10
In a defensive battle, the Redskins played a little better by limiting the Vikings to only 76 rushing yards and piling up eight sacks among seven different players (Dave Butz, Kurt Gouveia, Ravin Caldwell, Dexter Manley, Charles Mann, Alvin Walton, and Clarence Vaughn). The Vikings string of playoff upsets came to an end in a game that proved to be just as hard fought and intense as Washington's 27–24 overtime victory over them in Week 16 of the regular season.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 17, 1988, NFC: Washington Redskins 17, Minnesota Vikings 10
Minnesota started off with a drive to the Redskins 35, but decided to punt rather than risk a long field goal. Bucky Scribner's 33-yard punt pinned the Redskins back at their own 2-yard line, but it didn't stop them from scoring on a 98-yard drive that included a 28-yard run by receiver Ricky Sanders on a reverse play and ended with running back Kelvin Bryant's 42-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Doug Williams. The Vikings went three and out on their next drive, and Scribner's punt traveled just 19 yards to the Redskins 45-yard line. Washington subsequently moved the ball to the Vikings 21, but came up empty when Ali Haji-Sheikh missed a 38-yard field goal.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 17, 1988, NFC: Washington Redskins 17, Minnesota Vikings 10
Most of the remaining first half was a defensive struggle. With just over five minutes left, Washington running back Timmy Smith broke off a 34-yard run to the Vikings 31-yard line. But they failed to score again because of another missed field goal from Haji-Sheikh, this one from 47 yards. Minnesota took over and tied the game before halftime with quarterback Wade Wilson's 36-yard completion to tight end Steve Jordan setting up a 23-yard touchdown pass to Leo Lewis.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 17, 1988, NFC: Washington Redskins 17, Minnesota Vikings 10
In the third quarter, Redskins linebacker Mel Kaufman picked off a pass that had been deflected by Butz (which turned out to be the only turnover of the game) and returned it 10 yards to the Minnesota 17-yard line to set up Haji-Sheikh's 28-yard field goal. In the final quarter, Wilson got the Vikings moving on a 10-play, 52-yard drive, finding receiver Anthony Carter for 23 yards, running back Allen Rice for 15, and Jordan for nine.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 17, 1988, NFC: Washington Redskins 17, Minnesota Vikings 10
Minnesota eventually got a first down on the Redskins 3-yard line, but Washington's defense made a stand, stopping them on three consecutive running plays and forcing them to settle for Chuck Nelson's 18-yard field goal to tie the game. The Redskins then marched 70 yards in eight plays, including Williams' 43-yard completion to Gary Clark, to score on Williams' 7-yard touchdown pass to Clark and take the lead, 17–10, with 5:06 left in the game.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 17, 1988, NFC: Washington Redskins 17, Minnesota Vikings 10
Minnesota subsequently advanced to the Washington 6-yard line, with Wilson completing five passes on the way there, but on fourth down and four with 56 seconds left in the game, running back Darrin Nelson dropped a potential touchdown catch after being hit by defensive back Darrell Green, enabling the Redskins to run out the clock.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 17, 1988, NFC: Washington Redskins 17, Minnesota Vikings 10
Williams completed only nine of 26 passes for 119 yards, but threw two touchdowns and no interceptions, while his team gained 161 yards on the ground, 72 from Smith. Wilson completed 19 of 39 passes for 243 yards and a touchdown, with one interception. Carter caught seven passes for 85 yards, and returned four punts for 57 yards.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 17, 1988, NFC: Washington Redskins 17, Minnesota Vikings 10
This was the fourth postseason meeting between the Vikings and Redskins. Minnesota won two of the previous three meetings.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 17, 1988, AFC: Denver Broncos 38, Cleveland Browns 33
This game is best remembered for The Fumble when Browns running back Earnest Byner fumbled at the Broncos' 2-yard line with 1:05 left. Also, these two teams were scheduled to meet during the regular season, however, the game happened to be scheduled during the week of games that was canceled (they were to meet on Monday Night Football).


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 17, 1988, AFC: Denver Broncos 38, Cleveland Browns 33
Several early Cleveland miscues helped the Broncos jump to an early 14–0 lead. First, Cleveland kick returner Gerald McNeil was tackled by Tony Boddie on his own 12-yard line. Then after a sack by Denver lineman Simon Fletcher, Bernie Kosar threw a pass that went through the arms of Webster Slaughter and into the hands of linebacker Freddie Gilbert on the Browns 17, setting up John Elway's 8-yard touchdown pass to Ricky Nattiel. On Cleveland's next drive, fullback Kevin Mack lost a fumble while being tackled by Tony Lilly.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 17, 1988, AFC: Denver Broncos 38, Cleveland Browns 33
One play later, Gene Lang's 42-yard run (surpassing the team's previous longest run of the season of 29 yards) gave Denver a first and goal situation. Elway eventually threw an incomplete pass on third and goal from the Browns 3-yard line, but a defensive holding penalty on Frank Minnifield gave Denver a first down at the 1, and running back Steve Sewell scored a touchdown on the next play.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 17, 1988, AFC: Denver Broncos 38, Cleveland Browns 33
After the ensuing kickoff, Kosar completed a 25-yard pass to tight end Ozzie Newsome and a 19-yarder to Clarence Weathers on third down and 17 on the way to a 29-yard field goal by Matt Bahr two minutes into the second quarter. But Denver stormed right back on an 80-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by Lang, making the score 21–3. A sack by Denver's Rulon Jones helped force the Browns to a three and out. This time all the Broncos could manage was a missed field goal by Rich Karlis.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 17, 1988, AFC: Denver Broncos 38, Cleveland Browns 33
But once again Cleveland could not move the ball and turned it over with a fumble from receiver Brian Brennan that was recovered by cornerback Randy Robbins. This time the Browns defense stepped up, sacking Elway twice and forcing Denver's first punt of the game. After that, Kosar's 24-yard completion to Slaughter set up a 45-yard field goal attempt by Bahr, but he sent it wide right as time expired in the half.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 17, 1988, AFC: Denver Broncos 38, Cleveland Browns 33
Four plays into the second half, Browns defensive back Felix Wright intercepted a pass from Elway, setting up Kosar's 18-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Langhorne. But less than a minute and a half later, Elway threw a short pass to receiver Mark Jackson, who broke a tackle from Mark Harper and evaded a tackle attempt from Wright on the way to an 80-yard touchdown reception (the longest play in Denver postseason history), giving the Broncos a 28–10 lead. Cleveland responded with two consecutive touchdowns. First Kosar threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Byner.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 17, 1988, AFC: Denver Broncos 38, Cleveland Browns 33
Then Broncos returner Ken Bell muffed the kickoff and was downed inside his own 10-yard line. Following a three and out, McNeil returned their punt to the Broncos 42. Kosar then completed four consecutive passes en route to a 4-yard touchdown run by Byner, making the score 28–24 with less than four minutes left in the third quarter. Denver struck back with a 38-yard field goal from Karlis to give them a seven-point lead going into the final quarter.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 17, 1988, AFC: Denver Broncos 38, Cleveland Browns 33
In the fourth quarter, the Browns drove 87 yards and tied the score with Kosar's 4-yard touchdown pass to Slaughter, but it was countered by Elway's 20-yard touchdown pass to running back Sammy Winder with four minutes left in the game.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 17, 1988, AFC: Denver Broncos 38, Cleveland Browns 33
After the ensuing kickoff, the Browns got the ball on their own 25-yard line. Byner started out the drive with a 16-yard burst and a 2-yard run, and then Kosar completed two passes to Brennan for 33 total yards. Following an encroachment penalty on defensive lineman Andre Townsend and a 6-yard run by Byner, an offsides penalty on Denver linebacker Karl Mecklenburg moved the ball to the Broncos 8-yard line with 1:12 remaining in regulation. The Browns had moved 67 yards in just six plays covering 2:41.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 17, 1988, AFC: Denver Broncos 38, Cleveland Browns 33
On the next play, Byner took a handoff and appeared to be on his way to score the game-tying touchdown. But he was stripped of the ball by Broncos defensive back Jeremiah Castille, and fumbled at the 2-yard line. The Broncos recovered the fumble (Castille made the recovery), gave the Browns an intentional safety, and went on to win, 38–33.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 17, 1988, AFC: Denver Broncos 38, Cleveland Browns 33
Byner finished the game with 67 rushing yards, seven receptions for 120 yards, and two touchdowns. Elway finished the game completing 14 of 26 attempts for 281 yards and three touchdowns with an interception, and also rushed for 36 yards. His top target was Jackson, who caught four passes for 134 yards and a touchdown. Nattiel added five receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 17, 1988, AFC: Denver Broncos 38, Cleveland Browns 33
This was the second postseason meeting between the Browns and Broncos. Denver won the only prior meeting the previous year.


1987–88 NFL playoffs, Super Bowl XXII: Washington Redskins 42, Denver Broncos 10
This was the first Super Bowl meeting between the Redskins and Broncos.


1987–88 NHL season
The 1987–88 NHL season was the 71st season of the National Hockey League. It was an 80-game season with the top four teams in each division advancing to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This season would see the Edmonton Oilers win their fourth Stanley Cup in five years by sweeping the Boston Bruins 4–0 in the Stanley Cup Final. In the process of their Cup win, Edmonton lost only two games, a record for the "16 wins" playoff format.


1987–88 NHL season, League business
The NHL introduced a new trophy, the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which was to be awarded to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution in his community.


1987–88 NHL season, Regular season
This was Wayne Gretzky's final season with the Edmonton Oilers and, as injuries held him out of 20% of the season, this would be the only season of the decade in which he was not the winner of the Hart Memorial Trophy and the first season since 1979–80 that he did not hold or share the league lead in points. Mario Lemieux would capture his first Hart Trophy and lead the league in scoring.


1987–88 NHL season, Regular season
On December 8, Ron Hextall of the Philadelphia Flyers became the first goalie to directly score a goal, shooting the puck into an empty net after their opponent had pulled their goalie for a sixth attacker.


1987–88 NHL season, Regular season
On December 19, the St. Louis Blues and Boston Bruins combined to score two goals in two seconds. The Bruins were trailing 6-4 in the third period when Ken Linseman scored with 10 seconds remaining, followed by Blues center Doug Gilmour scoring off the resulting faceoff into an empty net.


1987–88 NHL season, Regular season
The New Jersey Devils qualified for the playoffs for the first time, since their move from Denver in 1982.


1987–88 NHL season, Regular season, Final standings, Clarence Campbell Conference
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals againstNote: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.


1987–88 NHL season, Playoffs, Stanley Cup Finals
Game four is well known for fog that interfered with the game, and a power outage that caused the game to be cancelled at 16:37 of the second period with the score tied 3–3.


1987–88 NHL season, Playoffs, Stanley Cup Finals
When the Oilers won the replayed game four, they started the tradition in which the champs gather around with the Cup in a team photo.


1987–88 NHL season, Player statistics, Scoring leaders
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes, PPG = Powerplay Goals, SHG = Shorthanded Goals, GWG = Game Winning Goals


1987–88 NHL season, Player statistics, Leading goaltenders
GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average; Sv% = Save percentage


1987–88 NHL season, Milestones, Debuts
The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1987–88:


1987–88 NHL season, Milestones, Last games
The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1987–88:


1987–88 NK Dinamo Zagreb season
The 1987–88 season was the 42nd season of competitive football played by Dinamo Zagreb.


1987–88 NK Dinamo Zagreb season, Players, Squad statistics
Competitive matches only. Age as of 2 August 1987, first match day of the season. Appearances in brackets indicate numbers of times the player came on as a substitute. Source:


1987–88 NK Hajduk Split season
The 1987–88 season was the 77th season in Hajduk Split’s history and their 42nd in the Yugoslav First League. Their 7th place finish in the 1986–87 season meant it was their 42nd successive season playing in the Yugoslav First League.


1987–88 NK Hajduk Split season, Notes
1. Data for league attendance in most cases reflects the number of sold tickets and may not be indicative of the actual attendance.


1987–88 NK Hajduk Split season, Notes
2. Match abandoned due to crowd trouble and later voided. Therefore, the match was awarded to Marseille and was Hajduk banned 2 years from European competitions.


1987–88 NK Rijeka season
The 1987–88 season was the 42nd season in Rijeka's history and their 26th season in the Yugoslav First League. Their 4th place finish in the 1986–87 season meant it was their 14th successive season playing in the Yugoslav First League.


1987–88 NK Rijeka season, Matches, Squad statistics
Competitive matches only. Appearances in brackets indicate numbers of times the player came on as a substitute.


1987–88 NK Rijeka season, Notes
1. Data for league attendance in most cases reflects the number of sold tickets and may not be indicative of the actual attendance.


1987–88 NTFL season
The 1987/88 NTFL season was the 67th season of the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL).


1987–88 NTFL season
St Marys have won there 15th premiership title while defeating the Darwin Buffaloes in the grand final by 61 points.


1987–88 National Division One
The 1987–88 Courage League National Division One was the first season of the first tier of the English rugby union league system. It was the first season of a truly national rugby union league, which is currently known as the Aviva Premiership.


1987–88 National Division One
There was no fixture list; the teams arranged fixtures amongst themselves. One match would count between each of the twelve teams involved and the points scheme was such that a team received four points for a win, two for a draw and one point for a loss. Most teams played eleven games, although some played ten.


1987–88 National Division One
Leicester Tigers finished first in the league table and were crowned champions. Coventry and Sale were relegated to the 1988–89 Courage League National Division Two for next season, the latter side having lost all of its eleven matches. Rosslyn Park and Liverpool St Helens were promoted from the 1987–88 Courage League National Division Two for the following season.


1987–88 National Division One, Sponsorship
National Division One is part of the Courage Clubs Championship and is sponsored by Courage Brewery


1987–88 National Football League (Ireland)
The 1987–88 National Football League, known for sponsorship reasons as the Royal Liver National Football League, was the 57th staging of the National Football League (NFL), an annual Gaelic football tournament for the Gaelic Athletic Association county teams of Ireland.


1987–88 National Football League (Ireland)
Meath won the league, beating Dublin in a replayed final.


1987–88 National Football League (Ireland), Format, Round-Robin Format
Each team played every other team in its division (or group where the division is split) once, either home or away.


1987–88 National Football League (Ireland), Format, Points awarded
2 points were awarded for a win and 1 for a draw.


1987–88 National Football League (Ireland), Format, Titles
Teams in all three divisions competed for the National Football League title.


1987–88 National Football League (Ireland), Format, Knockout phase structure
The final match-up is: Winner Semi-final 1 v Winner Semi-final 2.


1987–88 National Football League (Ireland), Format, Separation of teams on equal points
In the event that teams finish on equal points, then a play-off will be used to determine group placings if necessary, i.e. where to decide relegation places or quarter-finalists.


1987–88 National Hurling League
The 1987–88 National Hurling League (known as the Royal Liver National Hurling League for sponsorship reasons) was the 57th edition of the National Hurling League.


1987–88 National Hurling League, Division 1
Galway came into the season as defending champions of the 1985-86 season. Westmeath and Wexford entered Division 1 as the promoted teams.


1987–88 National Hurling League, Division 1
On 24 April 1988, Tipperary won the title following a 3-15 to 2-9 win over Offaly in the final. It was their first league title since 1978-79 and their 14th National League title overall.


1987–88 National Hurling League, Division 1
Tipperary's Pat Fox was the Division 1 top scorer with 6-40.


1987–88 National Hurling League, Division 2
Down, Offaly, Roscommon and Westmeath entered Division 2 as the promoted and relegated teams from the previous season.


1987–88 National Hurling League, Division 2
On 6 March 1988, Offaly secured the title following a 1-13 to 3-4 win over Down in the final round of the group stage. Antrim secured promotion to Division 1 as the second-placed team.


1987–88 National Hurling League, Division 3
Mayo, Meath and Tyrone entered Division 3 as the promoted and relegated teams from the previous season.


1987–88 National Hurling League, Division 3
Meath secured the title following a 5-7 to 2-5 win over Kildare in the final round of the group stage. Derry secured promotion to Division 2 as the second-placed team.


1987–88 National Hurling League, Division 4
Monaghan entered Division 4 as the relegated team from the previous season.


1987–88 National Hurling League, Division 4
On 29 July 1988, Longford secured the title following a 2-9 to 2-7 win over Monaghan in a replay of the league final.


1987–88 Nationale 1A season
The 1987–88 Nationale 1A season was the 67th season of the Nationale 1A, the top level of ice hockey in France. 10 teams participated in the league, and Mont-Blanc HC won their second league title. Chamonix Hockey Club was relegated to the Nationale 1B.


1987–88 Nationalliga A
Statistics of Swiss National League A in the 1987–88 football season.


1987–88 Nationalliga A, Overview
It was contested by 12 teams, and Neuchâtel Xamax won the championship.


1987–88 Nationalliga A season
The 1987–88 Nationalliga A season was the 50th season of the Nationalliga A, the top level of ice hockey in Switzerland. 10 teams participated in the league, and HC Lugano won the championship.


1987–88 Nemzeti Bajnokság I, Overview
It was contested by 16 teams, and Budapest Honvéd FC won the championship.


1987–88 New Jersey Devils season
The 1987–88 New Jersey Devils season was the team's sixth season in the National Hockey League since the franchise relocated to New Jersey. The Devils finished fourth in the Patrick Division with a record of 38 wins, 36 losses, and 6 ties for 82 points, garnering the first winning record in the franchise's 14-year history.


1987–88 New Jersey Devils season
On the final day of the regular season, the Devils were tied with their nemesis, the New York Rangers, for the final playoff spot in the Patrick Division. After New York defeated the Quebec Nordiques 3–0, all eyes were on the Devils, who were playing the Blackhawks in Chicago. The Devils trailed 3–2 midway through the third period, but John MacLean scored to tie the game, and with two minutes left in overtime, he added the winning goal. Although the Rangers and Devils both finished with 82 points, the Devils had two more wins, sending them to the playoffs for the second time in franchise history, but the first time in New Jersey.


1987–88 New Jersey Devils season
The Devils rode the momentum of this victory into a surprisingly deep playoff run, ousting the New York Islanders in six games in the Division Semi-finals and  the Washington Capitals in seven games in the Division Finals. They then met the Boston Bruins in the Wales Conference Finals and stretched the series to seven games, but finally fell short in the seventh game (see below).


1987–88 New Jersey Devils season, Offseason
Hoping to light a spark under the team, team owner John McMullen hired Providence College coach and athletic director Lou Lamoriello as team president in April 1987. Lamoriello appointed himself general manager shortly before the 1987–88 season. This move came as a considerable surprise to NHL circles; although Lamoriello had been a college coach for 19 years, he had never played, coached, or managed in the NHL and was almost unknown outside the American college hockey community.


1987–88 New Jersey Devils season, Regular season
On November 25, 1987, Aaron Broten scored just 13 seconds into overtime to give the Devils an 8-7 road win over the Edmonton Oilers. It would prove to be the fastest overtime goal scored during the 1987–88 NHL regular season.


1987–88 New Jersey Devils season, Regular season
On the last day of the season, Sunday, April 3, 1988, the Devils were scheduled to play the Chicago Blackhawks at Chicago Stadium. Going into the game, the Devils were tied with the New York Rangers with 80 points for the last playoff spot in the Patrick Division. On April 3, the Rangers were scheduled to play the Quebec Nordiques at home. The Rangers shut out the Nordiques, 3-0, to finish their season with 82 points. When the game ended, the Devils-Blackhawks game was still in progress. Both teams skated to a 3-3 tie after 60 minutes.


1987–88 New Jersey Devils season, Regular season
For the Devils to qualify for the playoffs, they would have to score in overtime to get the win and the two points to win the tiebreaker the Rangers. An overtime loss would keep them at 80 points, and a 3-3 tie would move them up only to 81 points, handing the last playoff berth to the Rangers. At 2:21 of the overtime period, John MacLean scored the game-winning goal on a rebound slap-shot past Blackhawks netminder Darren Pang to give the Devils a 4-3 win. Both the Devils and Rangers finished with 82 points. However, since the Devils had two more wins during the regular season, they ended up taking the Patrick Division's 4th playoff spot and thereby sealed the first ever playoff berth for the franchise in New Jersey.


1987–88 New Jersey Devils season, Regular season
Gary Thorne called MacLean's overtime, playoff-berth-clinching goal on SportsChannel New York:


1987–88 New Jersey Devils season, Regular season
MacLean...off the boards, Sundstrom, he's alone, Sundstrom...Murray on him, shot...that was deflected, went off the skate of Bob Murray the defenseman. Flipped up by Chicago, not out...kept in by MacLean, good job, MacLean centered Sundstrom. Sundstrom back to the point...Joe Cirella...Cirella got in, Cirella takes a shot, save by Pang, rebound...SCORES!!! THEY DID IT!!! THEY DID IT!!! THE DEVILS MAKE THE PLAYOFFS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THEIR HISTORY! JOHN MACLEAN THE OVERTIME GOAL! AND THEY WIN IT 4-3!


1987–88 New Jersey Devils season, Regular season, Season standings
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals againstNote: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.


1987–88 New Jersey Devils season, Regular season, Sean Burke
Sean Burke was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the second round of the 1985 NHL Entry Draft. He earned national attention from his international play. He backstopped Canada's junior team to a silver medal in the 1986 World Junior Championships and a fourth-place finish for the national men's team at the 1988 Calgary Olympics.


1987–88 New Jersey Devils season, Regular season, Sean Burke
Burke went from the Olympics to the Devils. He started 11 games for the Devils in the 1987–88 NHL season, including an overtime victory against the Chicago Blackhawks on the final night of the season that qualified the Devils for their first playoff series.


1987–88 New Jersey Devils season, Regular season, Sean Burke
Dubbed a "rookie sensation", Burke helped the Devils go on a playoff roll, defeating the division-leader New York Islanders in the first round in six games and then the Washington Capitals in seven games. Burke was one game away from the Stanley Cup Finals but lost in Game 7 of the Wales Conference finals to the Boston Bruins.


1987–88 New Jersey Devils season, Playoffs
The team made it all the way to the conference finals, but lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games. In that series, after a horrendous Game 3 loss to Boston, head coach Jim Schoenfeld verbally abused referee Don Koharski, screaming obscenities and hollering, "Have another doughnut, you fat pig!" The incident resulted in a suspension for Schoenfeld, which the franchise appealed to the New Jersey Superior Court. This unprecedented appeal to authority outside the NHL gave the Devils a preliminary stay of the coach's suspension. In protest, referee Dave Newell and the assigned linesmen boycotted the next game. After more than an hour's delay, amateur officials were tracked down in the stands and worked the game wearing yellow practice sweaters. To resolve the incident, the NHL suspended Schoenfeld for Game 5. Schoenfeld later admitted he regretted his comments.


1987–88 New Jersey Devils season, Player statistics, Forwards
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties in minutes


1987–88 New Jersey Devils season, Player statistics, Defensemen
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties in minutes


1987–88 New Jersey Devils season, Player statistics, Goaltending
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average


1987–88 New Jersey Nets season
The 1987–88 New Jersey Nets season was the Nets' 12th season in the NBA. The Nets had the third pick in the 1987 NBA draft, and selected Dennis Hopson. The team struggled finishing last place in the Eastern Conference with a 19–63 record. The team played under three coaches during the season, Dave Wohl, Bob MacKinnon and Willis Reed.


1987–88 New York Islanders season
The 1987–88 New York Islanders season was the 16th season for the franchise in the National Hockey League (NHL). The team improved on its performance from the previous season. They finished with 88 points, which turned out to be good enough for first place in a tightly-contested Patrick Division - the Islanders, despite winning the division, finished only seven points ahead of the last place Pittsburgh Penguins. The Islanders were subsequently eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the New Jersey Devils.


1987–88 New York Islanders season
As of 2021, this remains the Islanders' most recent division title.


1987–88 New York Islanders season, Off-season
Denis Potvin resigns the team captaincy, before playing his last season. Forward Brent Sutter, is named team captain.


1987–88 New York Islanders season, Regular season, Final standings
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals againstNote: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.


1987–88 New York Islanders season, Player statistics
Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals      MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;


1987–88 New York Islanders season, Draft picks
New York's draft picks at the 1987 NHL Entry Draft held at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan.


1987–88 New York Knicks season
The 1987–88 New York Knicks season was the 42nd season for the team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Early in the season, the Knicks signed free agent and second-year forward Johnny Newman. The Knicks finished the regular season with a 38–44 record, and qualified for the 1988 NBA Playoffs. In the first round of the playoffs, New York lost a best-of-five series to the Boston Celtics, 3–1. Following the season, Bill Cartwright was traded to the Chicago Bulls. First-round draft pick Mark Jackson was named Rookie of the Year.


1987–88 New York Knicks season, Draft picks
Note: This is not an extensive list; it only covers the first round and notable post-first-round picks.


1987–88 New York Rangers season
The 1987–88 New York Rangers season was the 62nd season for the team in the National Hockey League. The Rangers compiled a 36–34–10 record during the regular season, but despite having 82 points, they were eliminated from playoff contention after their last game when the New Jersey Devils beat the Chicago Blackhawks. This would be the only time in the 1980s in which the Rangers missed the playoffs.


1987–88 New York Rangers season, Offseason
Rangers General Manager Phil Esposito was part of the four man committee that would select players and coaches for Team Canada at the 1987 Canada Cup.


1987–88 New York Rangers season, Regular season
The Rangers led the league in power-play goals scored, with 111. They also scored the fewest short-handed goals during the regular season out of all 21 teams, with just 6.


1987–88 New York Rangers season, Regular season, Final standings
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals againstNote: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.


1987–88 New York Rangers season, Playoffs
The Rangers failed to qualify for the 1988 Stanley Cup playoffs. They finished with 82 points, the same as the New Jersey Devils. However, the Devils had 38 wins to the Rangers' 36. Since wins are the first tiebreaker, the Devils qualified for the final playoff spot in the Patrick Division. After a 6–6 tie against the Winnipeg Jets in the second-to-last game of the season, the Rangers and Devils went into the final game of the season with 80 points each. If the Rangers and Devils won, the Devils would go to the playoffs on the tiebreaker. The Rangers defeated the Quebec Nordiques 3–0. Later that night, however, the Devils defeated the Chicago Blackhawks in overtime to win the tiebreaker and the final Patrick Division spot.


1987–88 New York Rangers season, Player statistics
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Rangers. Stats reflect time with Rangers only. ‡Traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with Rangers only.


1987–88 New York Rangers season, Draft picks
New York's picks at the 1987 NHL Entry Draft in Detroit, Michigan at the Joe Louis Arena.


1987–88 Newcastle United F.C. season
During the 1987–88 season, Newcastle United participated in the Football League First Division. Following the sale of star player Peter Beardsley to Liverpool for a club record fee of £1.9 million, manager Willie McFaul recruited Brazilian international Mirandinha to replace Beardsley. With the Brazilian joining Goddard and Paul Gascoigne, the team managed a mediocre start to the season. Midfielder Glyn Hodges arrived from Wimbledon but only managed seven games in his 86-day stay, before heading back south. McFaul signed young Irishman Michael O'Neill in the winter; hailed as a new George Best by some, the 18 year old went on an amazing run of 12 goals in 19 games that saw Newcastle finish 8th, their highest finish since being promoted back to the top flight.


1987–88 Newcastle United F.C. season, Kit
English company Umbro remained Newcastle United's kit manufacturers for the eighth consecutive season, and introduced a new kit for the season. Greenall's Beers remained kit sponsors, although the "Beers" was dropped from the kit sponsorship.


1987–88 Newport County A.F.C. season
The 1987–88 season was the 60th season played by Newport County in the Football League and the first season played back in the Fourth Division since relegation from the Third Division at the end of the 1986–87 season. The club suffered a second successive relegation and were only the second team to be automatically relegated to the Football Conference.