Well folks - it’s official. Steve Downie is a goon. We first noticed Downie when he contributed to the World Juniors in 2006, and he was quickly labeled a future “character player” which is a polite way of saying that he’s a bit of a head case. Still, we welcomed him to the fray as his loose-cannon personality was consistently backed up by his on ice antics. The antics are entertaining until someone gets seriously hurt as has now happened several times. The latest incident occurred September 25th when Downie opened a can of creamed corn on Dean McAmmond of Ottawa, leaving him blacked out behind the net.
Bryan Murray made a few comments that hit home with me. He mentioned Downie had been “laughing after the hit” and that the “history of this young man” would play a role in how his punishment was handed down. That punishment, it was just announced, will see him suspended for 20 games. Let’s look at some of the facts of the case here, and then I’d like our readers to sound off.
Downie is going to spend a long time trying to live this down, and maybe it’s good that he’s having his hand slapped early. On the other hand, he was indeed trying to lay a hit on a player who had the puck - albeit a ferocious one. It’s kind of his job. So let us know where you stand, GoonSquad. Is 20 games too many or two few? Is NHL Corporate going to use this as a further tool to eradicate the physical play of the past? Is Downie’s considerable skill on the ice doomed to be overshadowed by his quick temper and rough style of play? Do you like movies about gladiators?
That’s the first time I’ve seen it and all I can say is wow…
Comment by Greg — September 29, 2007 @ 2:29 am
He left his feet, and it was a cheap shot. The kid is trying to make the club, but that wasn’t the right way. We have seen too much of this as of late, i.e. Cam Janssen last year, Pronger on the same guy with the elbow in the playoffs. The NHL is sending a message. I think he is being made an example of, but I think he deserves all 20 games.
Comment by Chris — September 29, 2007 @ 2:59 am
I’ve just got into Hockey, my boy is a Mite.
All I have to say is if this guy did this to my kid, he’d have his brains coming out of his head.
Comment by lawrence — September 29, 2007 @ 10:46 am
I havn’t seen A cheapshot like that since…. well…. last spring.
Comment by Red Thunder — September 30, 2007 @ 5:23 am
Yes it was a cheap shot, but in the heat of the moment and the thrill of playing in the big show, at the split second moment he didn’t even relize how bad it looked.
I believe he was just trying to finish his check and that he did!
Comment by Todd St.Louis — September 30, 2007 @ 8:40 am
I know how fast A split second can be in the heat of the moment but checks are usually delivered low or straight on, in my opinion, thes was more like kamakazi
Comment by Red Thunder — September 30, 2007 @ 6:16 pm
Downie was sent down yesterday. How does that that work with his suspension? I don’t think his games come off unless he is on the NHL roster. Am I correct about this?
Comment by Chris — September 30, 2007 @ 9:41 pm
Yes, you are correct. He needs to be on an NHL roster for the suspension to take effect. No doubt about it that hit it was cheap. No matter what the game dictates, one must always be in control and play by the rules. Downie clearly didn’t do that and from the sounds of it he doesn’t like to follow rules. Guys like that will eventually end up washing cars in Saskatoon wondering what went wrong with there NHL career.
Comment by Killer — September 30, 2007 @ 10:24 pm
Correction - According to a report from TSN of Canada, Downie will be ineligible to play until his case is reviewed by AHL commissioner David Andrews. The AHL can uphold or alter the suspension or dismiss it. Regardless of the AHL’s call, Downie will still need to sit out 20 NHL games.
Comment by Killer — September 30, 2007 @ 10:29 pm
Thanks for the leg work Killer. Parros and Thornton just had a go in Merry Old England. Win Thornton.
Comment by Chris — September 30, 2007 @ 11:00 pm
wow…and that was pre season!!! thats what blows me away. I don’t think he deserves 20 games though, deffinatley a suspension, sometimes i think the nhl needs 2 tone it down a lil bit though and stop being so harsh on their players
Comment by Kelsey — October 4, 2007 @ 1:38 am
What a joke …. as always the league and many times the refs hand out penalty
by the result…. not the actual infraction! If you are going to leave your feet, its going to be so you can get your elbow or hand in the guys face( ie Hatcher’s hit on Roenik) this is more a case of the guy exploding into the hit ….his hands/elbows are down …. and pure shoulder to head!!
I guarantee it McAmmond had looked up at the last second and prepared for the hit …. this kid would have maybe received charging.
20 games …so he deserves the same suspension as the Mcsorley incident or even worse, the big puss, Bertuzzi attack!
This kind of hit could have happen to guys like drake, nash, hinote, tootoo,laperriere ….any time.
Assuming its not from behind, none of these guy know what the result is going
to be in that split second where they are trying to crush the guy!
Comment by Dr David — October 5, 2007 @ 11:04 pm