As you may have already heard, Tampa Bay goalie Mike Smith and Rangers forward Aaron Voros had a little scuffle in front of the net last night because, well, Voros was doing his job, and Smith was tired of it. The result? Smith attempting to beat the snot out of Voros with his stick, and then fighting with his mask on. I'm not exactly sure, but I think that violates "the code." Well, following the game, Rangers coach Tom Renney called for the NHL to suspend Smith, calling his actions "completely unprovoked." From Damian Cristodero of the St. Petersburg Times:
"You usually don't get hurt fighting but you might get hurt with a spear or slash to the back of the leg," Renney said. "It was completely unprovoked and I think Smith should be suspended." Smith said his emotions got the better of him. Voros was in front of Smith almost the entire game and the two continually jousted.Of course, because it takes different strokes to make the world spin, Tampa Bay coach Barry Melrose didn't see any problem with his goalie practicing his wood chopping stroke on an opponents leg.
Lightning coach Barry Melrose had no problem with Smith. "If the referees don't protect you, you have to protect yourself," Melrose said. "It's jungle rules out there. It's Sing-Sing rules out there in the third period."Pardon me for asking, but what exactly were the refs supposed to protect Smith from? Somebody screening him? I admit, I didn't see the entire game, so maybe something happened earlier in the night (maybe Voros gave Smith a cross-check to the back of the head, I don't know) but from what I did see, Voros was simply parking himself in front of the net. Like any good forward would do in that situation.
I realize when you do that you have to "pay the price," but it seems Smith crossed the line just a tad when he "hacked the bone." And then tried to fight with his mask on.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-07-2008 @ 12:51PM
Ted Riegel said...
Saw the entire game... Smith is a cheap shot... Voros was just doing his job...
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11-07-2008 @ 11:18PM
Tristen said...
there is nothing wrong in what Smith did. That was the right thing to do. THAT IS HOCKEY!....he has every right to try and clear the garbage from the net
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11-07-2008 @ 3:37PM
butters said...
Renney wants a suspension? Seriously?!?
Voros can stand in front of the net all he wants (see: Ryan Smyth, Tomas Holmstrom), and if Smith doesn't like it, he is free to retaliate, as long as he doesn't mind taking a penalty by doing so. But a suspension? For that?! Please.
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11-07-2008 @ 11:07PM
Al said...
Melrose Larry is a friggin TOOL and should wipe the grease from his hair out of his eyes. After watching in person from Sec 309 the whole game its clear that Tampa is a last place team with no future , Their so called star Vinnie Le C skated like Phil Esposito all nite
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11-11-2008 @ 10:01AM
Lightningfan said...
i was at the game watching from 211. ranger fans need to get over themselves. its hockey. it happens. suspension- i dont think so.
11-08-2008 @ 3:35PM
brucglloyd said...
I believe Mike was just sending a message to his teammates to do their jobs and clear the pests from his crease area
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11-08-2008 @ 3:48PM
Bruce said...
I think Mike was just trying to send a message to his teammates to do their job and keep the pests away from his crease.
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11-10-2008 @ 6:18PM
Dave said...
If what Smith did was ok.Then goalies should be considered fair game outside the crease.He is 30yrs. to late for old school hockey.Take the mask of if you want to be a tough guy.
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11-12-2008 @ 11:52PM
Christopher said...
If goalies want to play that type of physical hockey then why do we see them screaming for penality calls for the slightest bump. Make the rules clear, let the goalies get physical and expect it back w/o any penalities either way, or play don't touch the goalie AND the goalie can't initiate contact. The rules should be clear and strict. They cry baby on contact and dive (like Broudeur) or play physical like Mike Smith. The rules need to be clear to all and strictly enforced.
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