I think that Steve Downie is becoming one of the biggest hacks in the NHL. The kid has played a grand total of four games in the NHL and has already been suspened for 25 games. This is the same clown that beat up his own team mate in the OHL Check out the video of this incident; there is no doubt in my mind that Steve Downie sucker punched Jason Blake. If Steve Downie had sucker punched Sidney Crosby it would have been a 5-10 game suspension for his gutless act.
PHILADELPHIA - Steve Downie has received a stern talking to from the league and his coach but the Philadelphia Flyers forward will not be suspended for sucker-punching Toronto Maple Leafs forward Jason Blake.
Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said he and Downie spoke to NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell after the incident in Philadelphia's 3-2 win at the Air Canada Centre last Saturday night.
"We had a conversation with Mr. Campbell and that's it. The rest will be between the league, the Flyers and Steve," Holmgren told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "It was a good talk.
"It's Steve's (fourth) NHL game. He's walking a fine line there, which is basically what he was told. My conversation with Steve was a little harsher than Colin Campbell's."
Downie, who scored his first NHL goal in the game, punched Blake in the face while the veteran forward was being held by a linesman. Downie's double minor came in the third period and the Leafs scored on the power play to get back in the game.
"I took a penalty that hurt the team and I can't do that," Downie told the Inquirer, admitting he has again been put on notice by the league. "There's a fine line you've got to follow and I crossed it again. I got to learn."
Downie was suspended for 20 games earlier this season after a pre-season hit on Dean McAmmond in Ottawa. Blake's eye was swollen after the punch but he was not expected to miss any action.
Send Bertuzzi after him.
ReplyDeleteWhen the league's out there as much encouraging this crap you're going to get instances like the Bertuzzi one.