Nathan Horton's Hit On Steve Downie

I honestly can’t fault the referee from his perspective, the ref in his opinion believed Steve Downie embellished his fall after being hit into the boards by Bruins forward Nathan Horton late in the second period of last night’s game, calling the Tampa Bay Lightning wing Hack Steve Downie for diving. Apparently, after further review Uber Hack Downie wasn’t faking, in fact Downie never returned to the game and is listed as day-to-day.

To be honest with you, I feel no empathy what-so-ever for Steve Downie because in my opinion he is one of the dirtiest players in the NHL. Seriously! I honestly can’t imagine anyone even caring. How many games has this clown/buffoon been suspended by the NHL/AHL in his short career? Reviewing the Steve Downie hit parade he stared out his NHL career by receiving a 20 game suspension for a dirty hit on Dean McAmmond in an exhibition game… Steve Downie followed up that smooth move with a 20- game suspension for slashing an AHL official.

Hey I admit that while the call was probably a reputation call and the wrong call, I believe that Downie has earned his reputation based on his actions on the ice, maybe if he just clean up his act, he might get the benefit of the doubt once in a while. I say whatever, you earned it Steve, you live by the sword, you die by the sword.

The Slash that got Downie 20 games.

Someone made mention of Steve Downie getting suspended for 20 games for his slash on a linesman during a face off at center ice. You know, I dun no the video isn't that good but it appears that the ref was inadvertently hit by uber hack Steve Downie and received the suspension based on his preceding reputation.

Steve Downie sits again, this time for 20 games after slashing an AHL linesman during a Feb. 28 game against the Hershey Bears.

A member of the Norfolk Admirals, an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Downie had been suspended indefinitely until being informed of yesterday's decision by the AHL. He is slated to return to the Norfolk lineup on April 11, although the Admirals are likely to miss the AHL playoffs.

Downie was assessed a game misconduct late in the third period of the Norfolk-Hershey game for deliberately striking an official with his stick. Admirals officials noted that the slash occurred before a faceoff and that Downie had meant to knock the stick out of the hands of an opposing player. Instead, Downie missed and struck the linesman.

Admirals general manager Mike Butters said his player was simply trying to knock the stick of the Bears player and - oops! - missed and struck Hamilton by accident.
(read the whole story here)