The game between the Ottawa Senators and the Philadelphia Flyers brought about an issue, even before the regular season begins. Tuesday night Flyer Steve Downie lined up Dean McAmmond behind the net and drilled him into the boards. McAmmond lay motionless on the ice and had to be carted off on a stretcher. The issue at hand; head shots in the league.
The hit on McAmmond brought about a lot of player reaction. Veterans throughout the league agreed, players like Steve Downie have no business playing in the league. A hit like that could have career ending implications. McAmmond is out of hospital now, but is sidelined with what doctors say is a concussion. According to McAmmond, he doesn’t have a history of concussions, he has a history of traumatic blows to the head.
But this brings about a fresh look at hits in the league. Open ice it might have been a different story, but this took place in what’s called Death Valley. That area of the ice, just behind the net. Should Downie be suspended by the league? Many players, coaches and GMs say yes, that his hit was flagrant and excessive. Others say he shouldn’t even be playing in the NHL. Downie was a star player in the OHL, and has a history of hits like this.
Notice has already been served by Sens Brian McGrattan. If Downie’s playing in their meeting in November, then look for Sens to be gunning for him. History comes back again, as the Sens and Flyers have a long rivalry with violence filled games. This game on Tuesday wasn’t the first, and it probably won’t be the last.
Until next time…
Keep ’em flyin’.
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