Oilers Say They Will Get Even Tonight With the Flyers’ Hospodar

Goalie Billy Smith of the New York Islanders used to be the most hated man in Edmonton for his alleged dirty play against the Oilers in the Stanley Cup finals in 1983 and 1984.

But veteran defenseman Ed Hospodar of the Philadelphia Flyers has replaced Smith as public enemy No. 1 here after he performed oral surgery on Oiler right wing Mark Napier.

The Edmonton papers used to call Smith Billy the Kid because they said he played like an outlaw. A banner headline in Monday’s editions of the Edmonton Journal referred to Hospodar as Mr. Ed because the 6-2, 210-pounder plays like a big horse: “Mr. Ed has Oilers seeing red.”

Hospodar cross-checked Napier in the face in the second period of the third game of the Stanley Cup final at the Northlands Coliseum Saturday night. Napier lost one tooth, had one knocked out of position and another chipped. There was no penalty called because it happened behind the play and referee Bryan Lewis didn’t see it.

The Oilers say they’re going to get even with Hospodar tonight in Game 4. The Oilers lead the series, 2-1.

“If the league doesn’t do something about this guy (Hospodar) we’re going to get two boxes for him . . . one for his head and one for his body,” Oiler Coach Glen Sather told an Edmonton paper.

“Obviously the referee was out to lunch, but Napier won’t be because he lost three teeth. There wasn’t anyone in the building who didn’t see it except for the referee.”

Napier, wearing a face mask, returned to the game late in the third period and was treated by a dentist after Sunday’s practice. He’s expected to play tonight.

“I lost one tooth and chipped another one,” Napier said. “We looked for it after the incident but we didn’t find it. I must have swallowed it. Some of my other teeth are loose, but the doctor bonded them to the other teeth.

“I was a little surprised that there was no penalty called on the play. It is unfortunate also because these are the only teeth I’ve lost in my career. I haven’t determined whether I’ll wear the headgear for Game 4, but I’ll practice with it and decide prior to the game.”

Hospodar said he isn’t a dirty player and that he didn’t try to hurt Napier on purpose. “I thought I ran him into the boards. What happened to him?” Hospodar asked. “How come he came and played in the third period?”

Flyer Coach Mike Keenan said that Hospodar’s role isn’t that of an enforcer.

“His job is to play between 25 and 30 minutes a game and play well for us, which he has,” Keenan said.

Notes

Oiler center Wayne Gretzky was presented with two awards at the Stanley Cup luncheon Monday afternoon at the Edmonton Convention Center. Gretzky won a new car for being named the Player of the Year. He also won the Emery Edge award, which goes to the player with the highest plus-minus rating in the NHL. He received a $2,500 check, which he’ll donate to charity. . . . Buffalo goalies Tom Barrasso and Bob Sauve were presented with the Jennings Trophy for having the best goals-against average in the league this season. The award goes to the goalies for the team that gives up the fewest goals in the regular season. . . . Right wing Anders Hedberg, who retired from the New York Rangers at the end of the season, was presented with the Masterson Trophy by the Professional Hockey Writers Assn. The Masterson award goes to the player who “exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.” . . . Center Tim Kerr of the Flyers, who missed most of the third game with a knee injury, didn’t practice Monday. Flyer Coach Mike Keenan said he’ll decide on whether to play him after practice today.