Clutch is a term that is often synonymous with big time athletes in sports. There are certain players that, when the match is on the line, elevate their game to another level. They have the innate ability to shift into another gear, making it feel like they are seeing the game much more clearly than the rest of the athletes. One such National Hockey League player is former New York Islanders’ goaltender Billy Smith.
The winner of four straight Stanley Cups from 1980-1983, the streak finally came to an end in the 1984 Stanley Cup finals, where they lost to the Edmonton Oilers (the team they had beaten the year before). A goalie who always played on the edge, never afraid to give a slash to the back of the leg or blocker to the back of the head if you were infringing on his crease, he finished his playoff career with a staggering 88 wins and 36 measly losses. Perhaps his most impressive feat was allowing only six goals in the 1983 Stanley Cup finals, against the likes of Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Paul Coffey, Jari Kurri, Glenn Anderson and Ken Linseman, to name but a few of the stars he stymied. Here are some of the hijinks Smith got up to in the playoffs against the Oilers – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-VZO5SIFI4.
In the end, Smith left an indelible mark on the NHL history books. On top of his four cup rings, he won the Vezina Trophy (for best goaltender ) in 1982, the Conn Smythe Trophy (for most valuable player in the playoffs) in 1983, the William M. Jennings Trophy (for fewest goals allowed – shared with fellow goalie Roland Melanson) in 1983 and is the first major league goaltender to ever score a goal. He also took home All-Star Game MVP in 1978 and has been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
I was lucky enough to run into Smith at a charity golf tournament. The private man, who does not like to do interviews anymore, was gracious enough to give me a few minutes to discuss cinema with him. The hall of famer spoke of his love of space films, and the impressive technology associated with heading up and out into the outer limits, which is why his favourite motion picture of all-time is the iconic saga that is Star Wars. As I have already reviewed this film as part of a Star Pick, check it out here: http://filmizon.com/movie_reviews/take-a-return-journey-to-a-galaxy-far-far-away/
Also, use the force and click on the video below so that you can hear Smith talk about the classic film.