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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!alberta!lake
From: lake@alberta.UUCP (Robert Lake)
Newsgroups: net.sport.hockey
Subject: Re: Billy Smith
Message-ID: <399@alberta.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 4-Feb-85 17:07:11 EST
Article-I.D.: alberta.399
Posted: Mon Feb  4 17:07:11 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 6-Feb-85 01:36:36 EST
References: <3579@ucla-cs.ARPA>
Organization: U. of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
Lines: 20

I saw the replay of the "incident" with Curt Fraser, and, based on numerous
other similar "incidents", I would have to concur with Don Cherry on HNIC
last Saturday that this was one time a 30 game + playoff suspension was in
order.  I feel he should be slapped rather heavily because he uses the
threat of serious injury to people to keep them away from the front of his
net (and he doesn't seem to care whether or not they are trying to take a
"run" at him).  With the incident in question, Curt Fraser was pushed into
the crease area by one of the Islander defencemen.  People like Billy Smith
are a danger to the league, because one of these times someone is going to
have his career ended (and possibly end up with a permanent injury) from
one of his free swinging sticks.  As for "just leave Smith alone ... and he
will leave them alone.", someone once asked Smith why he never had any run-
ins with high scoring Kent Nilsson (who is well known for avoiding rough
play) of the Calgary Flames.  Smith's reply was along the lines that his
stick wouldn't reach to center ice.  Smith has also injured with his stick
well known "aggressive" players such as Wayne Gretzky.  Do you *really*
think he will just leave them alone?
					Robert Lake (alberta!lake)
					University of Alberta