Downie's Hit on McAmmond....

sky's the limit · Post by **sky's the limit** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 7:15 pm

What you think?

Pretty wicked hit imo, but skating with your head down will catch you out sooner or later.... Downie did leave his feet, so he'll rightfully be suspended, but he's sure made an impression this pre-season.

stl

lilfssister · Post by **lilfssister** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 7:19 pm

Is this football? Sorry, I think someone stepped on you.

Oh Hockey...disregard. The pants aren't as good, but I can do hockey.

sky's the limit · Post by **sky's the limit** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:00 pm

sigmet77 · Post by **sigmet77** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 6:28 am

I just hope the little bush league piece of crap actually makes the team. That way he can serve his suspension and then get the crap beat out of him everytime they play Ottawa. 10 games, the NHL needs to crack down on headshots so let's start here.

MUSKEG · Post by **MUSKEG** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 7:51 am

I'm already tired of this crap. Thats not hockey. I say suspend the jerk and forfeit his pay as long as Macammond is out. One penalty with some teeth in it that costs these premadonas some real cash and all this head hunting stops. Period.

costermonger · Post by **costermonger** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 9:43 am

The league's gotta do something about these hits before somebody gets killed. I'm all for physical hockey, but this is over the line.

McAmmond shoulda had his head up, but that doesn't excuse Downie.

5x5 · Post by **5x5** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 11:16 am

For the most part, I hate slow motion replay. It makes things look so bad - what in reality happens in a split second between two very fast moving bodies in a frenzy appears to be very calm, deliberate and totally controllable. Even so, this was definitley a cheapshot. He really left his feet with intent. He probably didn't mean to get him in the head, but with the additional altitude he gained as he leapt and the fact McCammond's head was down, the result was inavoidable - unless he hadn't left his feet. As well, launching yourself at someone like that shows malicious intent whether there is a resulting injury or not.

Hockey is a fast, intense game. But this kind of BS, sparked by a need for retaliation (Downie had just been hit into the boards himself a few moments earlier) is what needs to be eliminated.

In the post game interview, Downie stated that he thought it was a clean hit. That should indicate he doesn't understand the line that shouldn't be crossed. As I said, he likely didn't mean to head shot him, but jumping off his feet like that - how can he think that's clean?

grey_cap · Post by **grey_cap** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 12:21 pm

Don't admire your pass.

niss · Post by **niss** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 12:31 pm

shimmydampner · Post by **shimmydampner** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 3:21 pm

I watched Downie in the Juniors and he's a tough intense player. He's good and I like him, even Ottawa's head coach said he's the kind of player every team in the league would want. The only thing wrong with the hit was the fact that he left his feet. I don't think he was head-hunting and there's no rule that says you can't steamroll a guy full tilt. Guys are upset because he came in hard from the blue line......big f*ckin deal. That's hockey. McCammond should have had his head up, especially coming around the back of the net, shit, even my grandma knows that. How many guys have been creamed under the same circumstances?
To me, more disturbing than the hit was McGratton's comments about Downie getting what's coming to him next time they play. Sound familiar? Last time I heard a hockey player say that, it was Brad May after an actual head-hunting vicious hit by Steve Moore on Markus Naslund. Not too long after Steve Moore was on a stretcher and arguably the game's best power forward at the time had a big black spot on his career.
Bottom line, if Downie hadn't left his feet he wouldn't have hit McCammond's head and that would've been just a great highlight reel hit, IMO. Downie was perhaps a little worked up trying to make an impression and earn a spot on the roster by playing hard-nosed hockey. Hockey is a tough game, if you don't like watching guys get hurt, well, in the words of Deaner from Fubar, "I recommend you try another sport......like knitting."

MUSKEG · Post by **MUSKEG** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 4:47 pm

What ever happened to the rule that no more than 3 strides are allowed before it's called charging. I don't believe there would be any injury if downie had only taken 3 strides. I don't see how thats possible from the blue line in. If this in not classified as intent then the NHL can go screw themselves. This has nothing to do with the" thats hockey argument". If this was out on the street Downie would be in jail right now, or getting what he deserved. A real good 2 hander on the wrist that breaks it will suffice.

grey_cap · Post by **grey_cap** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 5:12 pm

MUSKEG
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Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 3:47 pm Post subject:

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What ever happened to the rule that no more than 3 strides are allowed before it's called charging. I don't believe there would be any injury if downie had only taken 3 strides.

most guys nowdays can be up to full speed at 3 strides.

co-joe · Post by **co-joe** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 5:36 pm

shimmydampner wrote:...well, in the words of Deaner from Fubar, "I recommend you try another sport......like knitting."

Fo sure but that was definitely charging and on a guy that clearly didn't have the puck. So I'd say it's not clean by any stretch.

While your watching that hit, check out Scott Stevens. That hiyt on Paul Karya still makes me cringe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U7jUbKQYdw

grey_cap · Post by **grey_cap** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 6:14 pm

Im a huge Kariya fan, but again you cant admire your pass.

shitdisturber · Post by **shitdisturber** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 7:01 pm

shimmydampner wrote:I watched Downie in the Juniors and he's a tough intense player. He's good and I like him, even Ottawa's head coach said he's the kind of player every team in the league would want. The only thing wrong with the hit was the fact that he left his feet. I don't think he was head-hunting and there's no rule that says you can't steamroll a guy full tilt. Guys are upset because he came in hard from the blue line......big f*ckin deal. That's hockey. McCammond should have had his head up, especially coming around the back of the net, shit, even my grandma knows that. How many guys have been creamed under the same circumstances?
To me, more disturbing than the hit was McGratton's comments about Downie getting what's coming to him next time they play. Sound familiar? Last time I heard a hockey player say that, it was Brad May after an actual head-hunting vicious hit by Steve Moore on Markus Naslund. Not too long after Steve Moore was on a stretcher and arguably the game's best power forward at the time had a big black spot on his career.
Bottom line, if Downie hadn't left his feet he wouldn't have hit McCammond's head and that would've been just a great highlight reel hit, IMO. Downie was perhaps a little worked up trying to make an impression and earn a spot on the roster by playing hard-nosed hockey. Hockey is a tough game, if you don't like watching guys get hurt, well, in the words of Deaner from Fubar, "I recommend you try another sport......like knitting."

If he hadn't left his feet it would have still been charging and he would have still been suspended; the other poster's comment about three strides and you're out was quite correct, even though they frequently let players get away with a couple more.

I quite agree with your comment about McGratton; for his sake he'd better be full of hot air because the NHL knows about it and the cops do too. If Downie so much as breaks a pimple McGratton had better be on the other side of town or he's going to join Bertuzzi on the list of NHL's convicted felons.

grimey · Post by **grimey** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 12:44 am

shitdisturber wrote:I quite agree with your comment about McGratton; for his sake he'd better be full of hot air because the NHL knows about it and the cops do too. If Downie so much as breaks a pimple McGratton had better be on the other side of town or he's going to join Bertuzzi on the list of NHL's convicted felons.

I dunno... Why is it so bad to say what you're going to do? McGratton was pretty clear, he doesn't want to cheap shot Downie, he's just gonna fight him. That's pretty much standard procedure in the NHL after you run someone. If McGratton or Neil picked a fight with him without saying they were going to beforehand, would anyone really think it wasn't premeditated?

Pound the guy, just give him a chance to defend himself. Downie's small compared to McGratton, but he's still a big boy, and can take care of himself.

"He'll get what's coming to him next time we play him, that's for sure." McGratton said.

When pressed Thursday morning about his comments, McGratton did not shy away.

"I don't beat around the bush. I'm not the guy who whips out cliche after cliche, you are going to get a straight answer out of me," McGrattan said. "At least I'm telling him I'm going to do it. I'm not going to blindside him or hit him from behind.

shimmydampner · Post by **shimmydampner** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 8:59 am

There is nothing about three strides in the rule for charging.

NHL Rulebook wrote:Charging shall mean the actions of a player who, as a result of distance traveled, shall violently check an opponent in any manner. A "Charge" may be the result of a check into the boards, into the goal frame or in open ice.

A minor or major penalty shall be imposed on a player who skates or jumps into, or charges an opponent in any manner.

Kind of a vague wording...how much distance is acceptable before it becomes charging? Guys like Dion Phaneuf can violently check guys by taking 1 or 2 strides.
Either way, it was charging I guess, but either way, he shoulda had his head up. I still don't think it was as ugly as some people want to make it out to be.
Co-joe, Scott Stevens is the master....nothing better than watching that guy open-ice freight train someone!

grimey · Post by **grimey** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 1:00 pm

20 games... ouch. Still, if they want to cut down on headshots, that's probably what's required. Lets see if they're going to be consistent about it, though.

2R · Post by 2R » Fri Sep 28, 2007 1:07 pm

If these types of cheapshots are not allowed under the NHL rules why are these thugs not being charged with assault ???
If they are playing outside of what is sporstmanlike conduct and not playing in compliance of the agreed rules of the sport .Would not the rule of Law as in the Criminal Code be applicable to those who breech the agreed rules of the sport ???

A 20 game suspension does not match the brutality of that cheapshot example of poor sportsmanlike behaviour .However it is a start towards cleaning up the savage side of a great sport .

MUSKEG · Post by **MUSKEG** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 1:24 pm

I still think the NHL has no balls. This could be a career ending blow to the head and it's worth 20 games. There are enough clean hard checks that they don't need these but I think behind the scenes they are smirking at all the media attention this is getting. Some in the media are even calling Macamond prone to concussions. Well hello you take a Pronger elbow in the ear and a flying shoulder to the face a tell me why they think that. Have you seen the elbow pads these guys wear, thats not protection, thats a weapon. The money is just to good and the players just hungry enough for the easy life that I think this will continue until someone gets banned for life because someone else is dead. The sad part is that given the chance I'm not sure I wouldn't take that chance myself. Competition can do crazy things to your mindset, and when age creeps in and your body can no longer keeep the promises your mind makes, thats when cheating happens. Thats when I quit playing competive basketball and fastball.

hazatude · Post by **hazatude** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 4:08 pm

cpl_atc wrote:Players who make ridiculous hits like that should be banned from the game for life on the first offence. That's right, the first offence. Then they should be charged with assault and prosecuted.

That's what will happen once the first player dies after one of these incidents, so why not be proactive about it?

I say ban hockey. It's too violent by it's nature.

Sheila · Post by **Sheila** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 8:03 pm

Another screwed up behavior was the fight that broke out on the ice. All the players jumped on the guy but a few guys fell unto the unconscience player. The injured player was getting tossed around quite abit during this fight, it was awful to see that. How come they're not mentioning that aspect?

hazatude · Post by **hazatude** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 9:21 pm

Sheila wrote:Another screwed up behavior was the fight that broke out on the ice. All the players jumped on the guy but a few guys fell unto the unconscience player. The injured player was getting tossed around quite abit during this fight, it was awful to see that. How come they're not mentioning that aspect?

Because you are empowering them by not going out with me....

2R · Post by 2R » Sat Sep 29, 2007 8:23 am

One other point cheapshots are the work of a coward and bully .
If these guys cannot play the game by the rules then they should not be allowed to play with guys who want to play honestly.

sky's the limit · Post by **sky's the limit** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 8:49 am

I'm just wondering how this suspension is going to work for a guy who will play in the AHL... Will the Flyer's be able to call him up for 20 games to serve this, or will he have to be added to the roster full time?

The other little issue here is hit's/behavior like this are covertly encouraged in hockey, especially at the Junior level. These guys are up to their eyeballs in stiff competition for the jobs, and the money involved is huge, so I can see how a player like Downie can lose his judgment once in a while. I mean this guy was suspended something like 8 times in 4yrs in the OHL, BUT was also the most celebrated player on the World Junior team... go figure.

Asking kids like this to play ON the edge ALL the time, and vilifying them when they cross it, is hypocritical to say the least. I think hockey has some larger issues which are the source of these symptoms.(Downie, Latendrese, Moore, etc)

stl