Islander Goalie Smith Suspended for Six Games

Goaltender Billy Smith of the New York Islanders has been suspended for six games for using his stick in an irresponsible manner, the National Hockey League announced Monday.

Smith, 34, received two minor penalties in a game against the Chicago Black Hawks Jan. 13 for stick swinging incidents which resulted in a fractured cheekbone to Curt Fraser.

After the Black Hawks requested a review of the game, NHL Executive Vice President Brian O’Neill convened a hearing on the incident last Friday.

In a statement issued Monday, O’Neill said: “With regard to the injury to Curt Fraser, it is my judgment that the action by Smith was not a deliberate attempt to injure.

“The goaltender was tied up by the Chicago player and his explanation that he struck him accidentally when he was trying to bring his stick back into play is, in my opinion, supported by the videotape.

“However, it is clear that he swung his goaltender’s stick in an irresponsible manner on all three occasions.

“This type of action, by its nature, is not dealt with by the league as severely as a deliberate attempt to injure.

“Nonetheless, the player must be held responsible for his actions.”