On October 21, 1972, the expansion New York Islanders hosted the New York Rangers for the first ever game between the two teams. 39 seconds into the second period, Battlin’ Billy Smith got into a tussle with Rod Gilbert of the Rangers. Both received five minute majors for fighting along with two minute minors for roughing.
A somewhat smart move by Smith. One of his opponents top players was out for seven minutes while Billy remained in net with someone else serving his penalties. In the game, Gilbert was held to just one shot and had a single assist in the 2-1 Rangers win.
Despite the loss, Smith had an oustanding game, allowing just goals by Vic Hadfield and Bobby Rousseau while making 31 saves. The fight was his first of four during the 1972-73 NHL season.
It was not his first NHL fight, however. During the 1971-72 season, in his third of five games with the Los Angeles Kings, Smith took on Tracy Pratt in a game against the Buffao Sabres. In that game, Billy made 33 saves and the Kings won 5-3.
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