UPDATE - While finishing and posting this article, it was announced that there would be no action on Downie's hit last night... I am simply shaking my head...

So, according to the NHL. That hit from Downie was A-OK, no problem... got it.

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Two games, two losses and the questions are already coming after season starting back-to-back divisional losses in St. Louis and Colorado. The worst part of last night’s 3-1 loss to Colorado may be the loss of Roman Josi on an extremely questionable hit from repeat offender Steve Downie.

Judge for yourself…



Now I know I’m looking at this hit through gold-colored glasses. But seriously… can anyone say this is the kind of hit that is wanted in the NHL. Does he leave his feet? Yup. Is it before the beginning of contact? Maybe. Was Josi’s head down? It was. Does Downie launch himself at Josi? Definitely. Should Downie be suspended for the hit. Absolutely. And I would say that if the situation was reversed… I have said that about previous situations.

This hit must be reviewed by the league and it must draw discipline as Steve Downie does not deserve the benefit of the doubt.

He does not deserve the benefit of the doubt because Downie has shown a clear and unmistakable pattern of reckless, careless, and dangerous play on the ice. From his time with the Philadelphia Flyers, when during a preseason game against Ottawa, he launched himself at Dean McAmmond, causing injury to the Sens forward. That hit drew a 20 game suspension from the league… delivering a sucker punch to Jason Blake, a filthy hit in Petr Sykora in the playoffs… for a lot of players that would be enough for a career… for Downie, that was just the 07-08 season.

In the next season, while in the AHL, Downie after getting pissed at an empty net goal, slashed an official, drawing a 20 game suspension from that league. He was fined in 2010 for a dirty hit on Sidney Crosby. Over and over again Downie just can’t seem to balance his role as a pot-stirrer with his need for filthy mid-air, illegal hits to the head. Hell… he was even suspended by his own team in juniors for cross-checking a teammate to the face during a practice.

The only thing missing from this guys resume is trying to stab a guy with a skate.

He is a repeat offender and these are the types of hits the NHL has railed against. They are inappropriate and they cannot continue to be tolerated from this or any other player. Steve Downie has delivered these types of dangerous hits his entire sordid career and he has used up all of his breaks. Consider his history... he has shown this behavior in every professional league he has played in... the benefit of the doubt is gone. This needs to draw serious consideration from the league, especially if they wish to keep any possible shred of credibility when it comes to eliminating hits like this.

If Downie is not called to league office on this one, something is seriously wrong.

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Random Notes

- I think, after last night’s activities, that a new rivalry is born.

- Lost in the first two losses of the season is the play of Seth Jones. He led the team in ice time last night.

- The penalty kill looked MUCH better last night, killing off all five chances.

- The power play looks power-less again… trying not to push the panic button here, but damn.

-I can’t be unhappy with the compete level of this team. They are responding well to adversity, defending each other. It’s way early and things will fall into place.

- Still a little concerned on the injury front, although news broke that Viktor Stalberg has begun to skate and that Filip Forsberg is close to being re-inserted in the lineup. Now we need to find out about Roman Josi.

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