 | irishgit (146)
05/08/2008 | I always had a soft spot for the
Hatchetman, half-psychotic though he was.
One of the great play-off and money goalies in history, and one of the most ill-tempered men to play the game.
I don't know that he belongs in the top 50 players of all time though.
(5 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | thunderduck2k2 (0)
05/25/2003 | Often underrated because he played on such a great team (Potvin, Gilles, Bossy, Trottier etc.), it is often thought that with those Islander teams anybody could have stood in goal and put up a 2.20 GAA. NOT TRUE!!! Many were the nights that the Isles would decide that they wanted to win a game 9-6, and would leave Smitty back there in the crease very, very alone. And don't forget, he was the goalie in those dark early years of the franchise, standing between the pipes, virtually naked (we're speaking of defensive coverage here), and stole many a game for a truly lousy team. Plus, he was about the toughest son-of-a-gun I've ever seen in goal...some would label him "psycho," but in his prime, he would have been my choice to start Game Seven of the Stanley Cup finals--not Parent, not Dryden, not Esposito. Is there any higher compliment you can give a goalie than that?
(1 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
