Legend Week Continues Hakan LOOOOB

Legend week continues. I hope you have enjoyed reading about these legends as much as I have enjoyed writing them. This week's nominee is Hakan Loob of the Stanley Cup champions Calgary Flames. Hakan Loob is my favourite Flames player of all time. 

I love his speed as he created havoc in the offensive zone. Defencemen would be intimidated by his speed, automatically backing up as he entered the zone. His stickhandling was immaculate, along with his passing, which was among the league's best. He was in on the last goal of Lanny Mcdonald's career.

Hakan was the kind of player who goes about his game without anyone noticing him. Hakan played in all aspects of the Flames game, especially the penalty kill because of his speed. He took pride in his defensive game and was an all-around solid player for the Flames. 

Hakan Loob Scores 50

Hakan Loob was the first Swede to score 50 goals in a season. In the 1987-88 season, Loob led the Flames with 106 points, including 50 goals. He would end his career with style as a Stanley Cup Champion. Hakan had a shortened NHL career, as he chose to finish his career playing at home in Sweden. 

Legend Week Kick-off

I am doing a "legend" blog for the teams that I am covering. For this week, it is the New York Islanders' turn. A friend of mine asked me to write a blog on legendary goaltender Billy Smith. 

A fact on Billy Smith I didn't know

Billy Smith did not start with the New York Islanders. Smith started his NHL career at Lalla Land, known as Hollywood. In the 1970-71 NHL Season, Smith started five games for the Kings. In his debut, the Kings lost to the Habs 6-5. If it were not for Smith, the game could have been a lot worse, as he faced 48 shots in the tilt; Smith yielded the winning goal with just 22 seconds left. The legend himself, Guy Lafleur, scored the goal. The Islanders acquired Smith in the '72 expansion draft. 

Billy Smith Moments

Game 1 - 1983 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Billy Smith was outstanding in a 2-0 victory. He made 35 saves, many of them of the exceptional variety. Smith to the rescue again and again as the Oilers had their chances. 

November 28, 1979 

This date will be remembered in infamy, as Smith got credit for an empty-net goal versus the Colorado Rockies. He was the first NHL goalie to score a goal.

Billy Smith was no angel

You either loved or hated him. Billy Smith was well known for his stick swinging athletics. I would watch an Islanders game every chance I got to see Smith losing it with his goal stick. In all honesty, that was part of his charm; there was no other goalie who could get in an opposing player's head like Smith. You meathead, get out of my crease!

Awards  

Bily Smith was arguably the best New York Islanders goalie. He provided that in the 1982-83 season, taking home the Conn Smythe trophy. A most valuable player in the playoffs.

Billy Smith also won the Vezina and William H Jennings trophies. He was elected into the Hall of fame in 1993.