'Battlin' Billy Smith turns 59 today
by Dominik on Dec 12, 2009 7:00 AM EST
in Islanders of Yesteryear
Email
PrintA truly one-of-a-kind goaltender, Billy Smith turns 59 today.
Was he "clutch" -- or just overrated thanks to the team around him? Well, you don't win four Stanley Cups, nor 19 consecutive playoff series, without having a true beast in "the most important position" in hockey.
But don't take my word for it -- oh, and don't you dare talk to him on game day:
6 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Happy Birthday #31
A true legend, hands down the best playoff goalie ever. Talk about amazing focus.
I always wear my #31 jersey to games with pride from the good old days.
I always wear my #31 jersey to games with pride from the good old days.
Excellent. Incidentally, that bio video is one of the best they made for the old Islanders. Really got a look into his head and a good feel for how his teammate’s — even Hrudey — thought of him. I was going to quote some of it in the post, but the whole thing is a quote machine.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
Happy Birthday Billy
I remember having watch duty at the Naval Training Center in San Diego back during game one of the 1983 Finals. Nothing was going to stop me from watching battling Billy take on the Great One and the Oilers. When my watch was over I changed clothes and hopped the fence at the base to go to a bar across the street to watch the game. It was the greatest performance by Smith as he stopped everything the Oilers shot at him. No one gave the Isles a chance but they shutout the Oilers that night and swept the series for their 4th straight Stanley Cup. That night was one of the greatest sporting events I ever witnessed. I’ve met Billy many times since then and he’s one of the most regular guys you’ll ever meet but always with an opinion on something. Thanks for the memories Billy and happy birthday.
Awesome, awesome awesome
Wow, thanks for sharing that. Love stories like those.
So many “without [blank] the Dynasty wouldn’t have happened” moments, I think that Game 1 performance is often overlooked.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
The Classic Billy Moment
If you have that Ten Greatest Games collection, look at the disc with the 1983 clincher against the Oilers. At the end after the game, Billy is with a HNiC interviewer and Ziegler is waiting to give him his Conn Smythe. On the air with Ziegler watching, he jubilantly boasts that he took a dive in the third period to draw a major penalty that was pretty crucial in sealing the win. He claimed it was turn about fair play because he felt that Gretzky had done the same thing to draw a major in an earlier game. Ziegler looks like he wants to jump out of his skin and Billy just laughs. What a guy!!!
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Lighthouse Hockey
Related FanShots on Lighthouse Hockey
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Featured Stories
Islanders Schedule
Next 5 Games
Los Angeles
|
Sat 02/11 | 1:00 PM EST |
|
Florida
|
Sun 02/12 | 3:00 PM EST |
|
@
Winnipeg
|
Tue 02/14 | 8:30 PM EST |
|
@
St. Louis
|
Thu 02/16 | 8:00 PM EST |
|
Carolina
|
Sat 02/18 | 7:00 PM EST |
Last 5 Games
|
Montreal
|
Thu 02/09 | L 2 - 4 |
|
@
Philadelphia
|
Tue 02/07 | SO - W 1 - 0 |
|
Buffalo
|
Sat 02/04 | SO - L 3 - 4 |
|
@
Ottawa
|
Fri 02/03 | OT - W 2 - 1 |
|
@
Carolina
|
Tue 01/31 | W 5 - 2 |
Atlantic Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New York Rangers
|
52 | 34 | 13 | 5 | 73 |
|
Philadelphia
|
54 | 31 | 16 | 7 | 69 |
|
New Jersey
|
54 | 31 | 19 | 4 | 66 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
54 | 30 | 19 | 5 | 65 |
|
New York Islanders
|
53 | 22 | 23 | 8 | 52 |
(updated 2.10.2012 at 9:27 AM EST)
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Puck Previews: Blackhawks reeling; Sabres streaking; Holmstrom’s 1000th game
- Will Teemu Selanne remain with the Anaheim Ducks through the trade deadline?
- Nikolai Zherdev takes stick to crotch, elbow drop in KHL game (Video)
- Puck Headlines: Accused coach Pravilov dead; more Tim Thomas heat; Junior team goes nuts post-shootout
- After Scott Gomez scored, other candidates for NHL goal drought obsessions
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Lightning forward Dominic Moore fined $2,500 for hit on Rangers Ruslan Fedotenko
- Lightning forward Dominic Moore fined $2,500
- Blue Jackets place Lebda, Methot on injured reserve, add Prout, York on emergency recalls
- Blue Jackets put Lebda, Methot on injured reserve
- Lightning's Dominic Moore fined $2,500
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
