Downie's Hit
Posted 11:00 AM ET | Comments 10
I'm sorry if this seems a bit unprofessional but this is my first attempt at a "blog" ever.
I just wanted to comment on the hit by Downie on Dean McAmmond. Yes, it was definately an unappropriate hit. He did leave his feet using his body as momemtum driven projectile and he claims thats part of his game, finishing checks. But there's a right and a wrong way to throw a check.
Now I'm not protecting Downie but the comments made post game by Bryan Murray I felt were a bit too much. He said that it was a blind sided hit. Blind sided meaning what? He didn't hit him from behind. McAmmond skated around the oppositions net and admired his pass in front when he should have kept his eyes on the path he was skating until clear of the net. Now I know its pre-season and these things shouldn't be happening so early into the hockey year, but c'mon everyone including Bryan Murray seem to just forget that Downie was crunched from behind by Schubert earlier in the game and because Downie is a tough kid he popped back up and no one seemed to think it was a big deal. Not that its an excuse for Downie to jump and take his revenge on McAmmond.
I remember last season when the Leafs were playing New Jersey and Cam Jannsen smoked Kaberle everyone was saying that Kaberle was admiring his pass. That was in the Leafs zone and it was an outlet pass. Last night it was in the offensive zone on a scoring attempt. I think it's ok to check the player, but like I said before, there is a right and a wrong way to body-check and last night we saw a perfect example of the wrong way.
Hey, its hockey. These things happen from time to time. I'm sure Downie didnt want to put McAmmond on a stretcher but if the hit on Downie by Schubert was about a foot and a half closer to the boards its could have been Downie on the stretcher.
I say lets take it a little easy on the guy.
I just wanted to comment on the hit by Downie on Dean McAmmond. Yes, it was definately an unappropriate hit. He did leave his feet using his body as momemtum driven projectile and he claims thats part of his game, finishing checks. But there's a right and a wrong way to throw a check.
Now I'm not protecting Downie but the comments made post game by Bryan Murray I felt were a bit too much. He said that it was a blind sided hit. Blind sided meaning what? He didn't hit him from behind. McAmmond skated around the oppositions net and admired his pass in front when he should have kept his eyes on the path he was skating until clear of the net. Now I know its pre-season and these things shouldn't be happening so early into the hockey year, but c'mon everyone including Bryan Murray seem to just forget that Downie was crunched from behind by Schubert earlier in the game and because Downie is a tough kid he popped back up and no one seemed to think it was a big deal. Not that its an excuse for Downie to jump and take his revenge on McAmmond.
I remember last season when the Leafs were playing New Jersey and Cam Jannsen smoked Kaberle everyone was saying that Kaberle was admiring his pass. That was in the Leafs zone and it was an outlet pass. Last night it was in the offensive zone on a scoring attempt. I think it's ok to check the player, but like I said before, there is a right and a wrong way to body-check and last night we saw a perfect example of the wrong way.
Hey, its hockey. These things happen from time to time. I'm sure Downie didnt want to put McAmmond on a stretcher but if the hit on Downie by Schubert was about a foot and a half closer to the boards its could have been Downie on the stretcher.
I say lets take it a little easy on the guy.
Downie looks to be a loose canon waiting to go off...This probably isn't the worst thing that he will ever do at NHL level, if he makes it that far.Though McGratton and the rest of the team really should be talked to by the management staff and stress not to go out and do something similar to a Flyer or even Downie...If the chance arises, target Downie for some nice, clean, hard open ice checks or throw down the gloves with him and KO him
This is great Stig, and I agree with you 100 %. Maybe it has to come to someone loosing their life before Mr. Campbell and the league really acts. It is a shame that some players have no respect for the well-being of other players and take liberties when another is in a vulnerable position. Thanx for this.
Beleafer: Well said. I agree 100%. Good, fair blog as well.
20 games and won't play until November
honestly, players need to be taught not to watch their passes and pay attention to the whole ice. this is hockey. had downie not left his feet, people might be talking about what a powerful and clean hit it was. downie was wrong, but mcammond never takes the pounding if he is looking ahead of him.
I think he said McAmmond was blindsided because McAmmond passed the puck before he entered the trapezoid, and then while following the play was flown into by Downie (also, I hate that people are saying he 'should have kept his head up', I doubt he was expecting someone to fly into him he didn't even have the puck).
@redlightning - so wait, let me get this straight (extreme example)... so if i keep my head down while crossing the street, i should expect all cars will stop and yield to me?
@lyrics - please allow me to use some of your flawed logic. Had I not been speeding and drinking and talking on my mobile phone while changing the radio station, I would have never hit that pedestrian and killed him.HAD Downie not jumped and HAD Downie not led with his elbow, it would have been a clean hit and made the higlight reel at ESPN. HAD I been born in Bolivia, then I would be a Bolivian citizen. Had I not pulled the trigger on my gun, I never would have killed the guy and spent the rest of my life here in jail....get the point? Flawed logic is flawed.
@ducksfan - my logic (which i did note as an extreme example that i knew i would catch flack for) was meant to show the flawed logic of the original statement. you are responsible for yourself on the ice. downie was wrong and made a mistake. it was an ugly hit that was illegeal - i admit that. but on the same token mcammond needs to be aware of whats going on on the ice too. mcammond put himself in a bad position, downie led with the elbow and left the ice. its not to say mcammond deserved it by any means, and its not to say downie is right by any means. but both made decisions i disagree with.
(what i was getting at was the idea of two wrongs dont make a right.)