Steve Downie

[Mike Gundy]

i think it was a very controversial play. steve downie is a young player fighting for a job in the NHL and always plays on the edge, but he clearly left his feet and made contact with mccammond's head. in a way downie's lucky he didn't hurt himself in the process. i think the penalty fits the crime in this case. and i'm sure steve regrets what he did, but at the same time i know he's trying to make a name for himself and earn a job in the NHL, but that was not the right way to do it. and also, dean mcammond was very fortunate he wasn't injured moreso with all the bodies and skates around him during the ensuing scuffle.

[forrest]

If this is the beginning of a new standard for dirty hits... than sure, give him 20 games. But as it was mention, if it would have been any establish player, Pronger or even Colby Armstrong for examples, the suspension would not have been that long. Unfortunately, Downie carried the reputation he had in the OHL to the NHL and they were more severe on him. The hit wasn't much worst than the hits from Colby Armstrong on Koivu or on Eaves.

[SteveUL]

Pronger should get 25 games for the same hit ... since he has prior suspensions for hits to the head.

[Optimus Reim]

Pronger could have killed him if he had done it. Downie is 5"10 192 and Pronger is 6'6 220. That is one scary thought cause Macammond was out cold before he hit the ice. I do think that Downie will be a marked man for awhile when/if he does make it.

[Captain Obvious]

steveul said:

Pronger should get 25 games for the same hit ... since he has prior suspensions for hits to the head.

The difference with Pronger is it was an instant reaction, not pre meditated 15 seconds earlier in the other zone. Downie ran at MacAmmond from the red line and retaliating from taking abuse at the other end.

[CatsFan]

Just heard that Downie is suspended for the first month of the AHL season.. well they said his suspension was now a 29 game suspension.