THE DAY LANNY FOUGHT BILLY SMITH

By: Braedyn Wozniak, RP Show Intern

Lanny McDonald is largely remembered in Calgary for his time with the Flames, where he was the gritty, hard-nosed captain of the 1989 Stanley Cup team. 

But McDonald played some of his best hockey before he got to the Flames. He led the Maple Leafs and the Colorado Rockies in goals four times in five years before making his Calgary debut in 1981.  

And he was always one tough son-of-a-bitch. 

On the Rod Pedersen Show this week, McDonald told the story of his epic brawl in 1979 with New York Islanders goaltender Billy Smith. 

“It was a great fight,” said McDonald. “Go on YouTube and find that baby.” 

Smith was working a shutout game on March 15, 1979, when McDonald scored. A second goal by Walt McKechnie had the Maple Leafs pressing, when the mayhem started. 

The six-foot, 185 lb McDonald squared up with the 5’10” tendy after Smith slashed him hard on a wrap-around attempt late in the game. 

“He made the save, but I had had enough to drop the gloves,” said McDonald. “Davey Lewis was right there, and he said ‘Billy, I got him.’” 

Smith waved off Lewis after throwing his mask to the ground and proceeded towards McDonald. 

“’No. He’s Mine.’ So, we dropped the gloves and (went) at it.” 

“Billy took takes his mask off, which I was like, ‘Yes! This is the best day ever.’” 

The fisticuffs were filled with haymakers. Both players were swinging heavy, twirling out from the crease to the blueline. 

“He sees the punch coming and I hit him right flush on the forehead as he ducked,” said McDonald. “Bobby Nystrom was trying to take my feet out from under me as I’m fighting Billy.” 

The fight and scrum of players finally got contained by the refs after a good thirty second tilt. 

After the game, his fist was in pain from landing the huge blow. 

“I’m soaking my hand and icing it, and the reporter said ‘Oh, that’s not bad,’” said McDonald. “’You should go see Billy Smith. He’s got an ice pack on his forehead.’” 

(The Rod Pedersen Show airs daily at 12 pm ET on Game+ TV and WQEE Radio. Call your cable provider to subscribe. You can also watch on YouTube Live or listen 24/7 at RodPedersen.com/ListenLive)