Downie received a match penalty for his hit while McAmmond regained consciousness with a concussion.
I'm going to raise several questions about this:
1- Did the hit deserve a match penalty?
2- Does Dean McAmmond always skated with his head down?
First off, this play did not deserve a match penalty. Sure, McAmmond was unconscious, but was there an intent to injure? No. Downie recalls the play, stating:
"My game's to hit and to finish the check. I'm just trying to earn a spot on the roster. It's part of my game and I apologize for him getting hurt. I thought I got him clean."
The play should have been either a two or five minute charging penalty. Under the NHL rules, charging is stated as "Skating, jumping or charging violently into an opposing player." As the video results indicated, yes, Downie skated and jumped violently into McAmmond.
Despite the lack of evidence as to this play warranting a match, I will stipulate as to why the officials decided on their ruling. If Downie is given a two or five minute penalty, he is eligible to return to the ice when his sentence is over. This would cause the Senators to take liberties with Downie until the end of the game.
Senators forward, Chris McGratton said "[Downie] will get what's coming to him next time we play him, that's for sure" in his post-game interview.
The refs were obligated to call a match to save Downie from a melee.
While Downie is taking heat from the media for being a cheap shot artist, I'm going to praise his physical game. How often do you see hits this vicious (especially since Scott Stevens retired)?
They are few and far between. The fact is a 20-year-old prospect is playing as hard as he can to make the Flyers' roster and a veteran is skating behind the net with his head down. What do you think is going to happen?
Also, this isn't McAmmond's first time getting caught with his head down. In the Stanley Cup Finals last season, he had a close encounter with Chris Pronger's left elbow after taking a shot with his head down.
I'm not condoning Pronger's elbow, but if McAmmond's head is up, the hit would never have occured.
Either way, hopefully McAmmond saw the liscense plate of the truck that ran him over. Well, in case you didn't, Dean, it was number 27, Steve Downie.
4 comments:
Downie's a punk ass kid that should have the book thrown at him to make an example of what disrespect gets you in this game. He's a snot nosed 24 year old who's not even in the league yet drilling a veteran of the game in a preseason match in a vulnerable position. Undefendable and pathetic. If he comes back into the league I'd love it if every team that played against him drilled him into the boards over and over and over. No place for guys like him in the league.
If this was his first ever offence I wouldn't see it as SUCH a big deal but the guy's a loon.
KCaryths,
I always appreciate your comments.
I believe McGratton is correct. He'll get what's coming to him.
The balance between physical play and unnecessary hitting is a fine line, especially in pre-season.
For the record, I wanted to take Downie's side, just to stir up the mix!
I didn't see the hit, but you have to consider the fact the he was concussed. There has to be some kinda of line that doesn't need to be crossed. There is no advantage to knocking a guy out rather than just knocking him to the ice. I know thats its impossible to control during the game. Its a tough subject, im not sure what to think
This presents the same argument as pre-season football. Playing unnecessary games and getting injured before the season starts. I dont think its appropriate for hits like this in preseason. Like I said before though, regular season is different.
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