Dryden vs Smith: How Gary “Suitcase” Smith Became a Hero to a Generation - A Kevin Wong Presentation
Gary Smith’s astonishing feats as a goaltender had never before been seen in a Canucks uniform. He was a favorite among the team’s followers, his fearless style and high degree of skill as a puck handler providing the small-but-growing Canucks fan base with a new hero to identify with.
His regular displays of sensational, awe-inspiring goaltending are entrenched into the minds and memories of the Canucks’ first generation of supporters.
He also displayed an occasional penchant for battling with his fists, involving himself in a handful of fights as an NHL goaltender. On one such occasion as a Canuck against the Broad Street Bullies on December 20, 1973, he jumped off of the bench to join the brawl.
He was a maverick who encapsulated the spirit of the 1974-75 team.
In 1992, fellow Canucks icon, 1974-75 scoring leader, captain and teammate Andre Boudrias commented on Smith’s presence and effect on the 1974-75 squad:
”I had [Don] Lever and [Dennis] Ververgaert on my line, but it was really Smitty that made us... I laugh when I think of that coat. It must have seen some strange places... Smitty was a leader... I haven’t seen another goaltending year like it.” - former Canucks forward Andre Boudrias, March 17, 1992 (Gallagher)
In 1975, the Vancouver Canucks qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in their history. The playoff system at the time granted each division champion a bye to the second round; having won the Smythe Division title, the Canucks automatically began their postseason campaign in an eight-team pool. They would not reach the second round again until 1982. This was by far their most successful year of the 1970s.
Their opponents also received a bye: the elite Montreal Canadiens, one year prior to their run of four straight Stanley Cup Championships.
This was a mismatch in every sense. One team was star-studded; the other, despite their work ethic and commitment to one another, did not possess nearly the talent to stop a team with ten future Hockey Hall of Fame members. Thus, when the Canadiens won the series opener 6-2, a swift defeat was the obvious outcome.
However, in an unexpected twist, the Canucks won Game 2 by a score of 2-1, a come-from-behind victory featuring goals from Gerry O’Flaherty and Garry Monahan, as well as another display of excellence from their masked warrior in net.
Despite a slight puck-handling mishap behind the net by Smith and a little bit of help from defenceman Dennis Kearns to block an empty net, the Canucks managed the improbable at the Montreal Forum in front of a crowd of 16,470 (“Vancouver’s First”). This proved only to be a slight irritant to the Canadiens, as the soon-to-be dynasty claimed two more victories at the Pacific Coliseum.
Thus, the Vancouver Canucks were forced into a desperate situation. Not only was Game 5 an elimination match, but home ice advantage belonged to their mighty foe. The only means by which they could survive another game against the fearsome Canadiens would be to exert themselves to the brink of their abilities — to bleed green and blue.
Most importantly, they stood no chance without their most valuable player: Gary Smith.
His audacity and heroics would be necessary to steal a victory from the impervious Ken Dryden, especially if the game ever reached overtime.
The game, naturally, required more than sixty minutes to resolve. The events that unfolded during that match are the basis of our video presentation today.
Read the full article at Nucks Misconduct: https://www.nucksmisconduct.com/2020/...