Prescription for "Billy Smith-itis"

[CentreHice]

During the third period of the Leafs-Senators game on Saturday night, we all witnessed the return of Billy Smith
(aka Ed Belfour) as he hacked and whacked his way into a couple of slashing penalties on Todd White and Zdeno Chara--the result of which has Chara injured.

I've always thought (even back when Billy Smith was felling trees) that when a goaltender whacks at someone, it's ALWAYS a deliberate, blindsided attempt to injure because they always hit with the edge of that big stick at unprotected areas....tendons at the back of the knee, calf, ankles...and as such they should get at least 5 and a game for it. If the injury is serious enough, then a suspension is warranted. A 2-minute minor is hardly worth the price of standing there. Players should be allowed to screen a goalie legally without fear of pre-meditated assault.

We haven't seen this kind of thing since Ron Hextall's days. I believe both White and Chara were outside the crease as well. Leafs fans and broadcasters are laughing it off, 'Did you see Eddie the other night? Way to go!'

[franko]

While I am not a vindictive type of guy (at least I don't think that I am), one good run at the Eagle . . . I mean, one missed stop while going to the Leaf net may put him in his place. Just thinking out loud, as so many others have done (though no action has ever been taken).

[CentreHice]

Yes, and then the player that runs him will get 5 and a game and suspended for deliberate attempt to injure. Oh, the irony.

Until the league classifies goaltenders' chops in unprotected areas as 5-and-a-game instead of a minor penalty, Eddie's gonna keep saying, 'TIMMMMMMMMMBEEEEEEEERRRRRR!'