The NHL Eastern Conference Final resumes tonight in New York with the Rangers leading the Montreal Canadiens 2 games to none.
New York took both games in Montreal, including a 3-1 win over rookie goalie Dustin Tokarski on Monday night.
The insertion of Tokarski, rather than incumbent backup Peter Budaj, for the injured Carey Price quickly reminded me of Al Smith.
Smith, who has both family & sporting ties to Lion’s Head & Owen Sound, was the backup goalie for the Buffalo Sabres in 1977.
The Sabres starter, Gerry Desjardins, suffered an eye injury that season, one that prematurely ended Desjardins carerr, and Al Smith, naturally, believed he would take over the Buffalo crease for a game against the Minnesota North Stars on February 13th.
However, an hour before game time, a young Don Edwards was called up from the minors and Sabres General Manager Punch Imlach directed coach Floyd Smith to start Edwards in the game and not Smith.
Feeling snubbed, Al Smith stood for the National Anthem, but once it was completed, he skated onto the ice, saluted the Sabres fans and their ownership and departed Buffalo.
I wonder if Peter Budaj entertained the same thoughts on Monday night and considered following the direction taken by Al Smith in 1977.
I’m Fred Wallace