“There’s no place in the game for that stuff,” a seething McGrattan said after the game. “That was a dirty hit and he’s a dirty player. He’s known for that and he’ll get what’s coming to him next time we play him, for sure.”

Why would you discuss or publish the remarks of a goon concerning a goonish act??

Body checks are or were intended to separate the opposition from the puck. Not the head from the neck.

Posted by Ted from Innisfil , Ontario on 09/26/07 at 07:59 AM ET

Chris Neil has balls to say “Dean didn’t have the puck for at least 10 seconds...” and He then says, “Maybe some of the older guys in that dressing room will have a talk with him...”

who is going to take this guy’s thoughts into consideration after taking out drury?

even bob mckenize questions if it was a dirty hit

http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/mckenzie/?id=219220

hit was old time hockey. if you dont like it, dont watch it

Posted by FlyersFan on 09/26/07 at 08:03 AM ET

Ted, I found it very ironic McGrattan would say anything.
I attempt to point to both sides of the stories, it is up to KK readers to discuss.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 09/26/07 at 08:30 AM ET

via TSN,

The NHL is reviewing the incident but are not expected to take any action until they have a full report.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 09/26/07 at 10:55 AM ET

I expected McGrattan to chirp but his comments were ill-advised at best. If he does go out and do something to Downie the next time when and if they meet that’s a clear intent to injure.

For all you want to say about Neil, his hit on Drury was not on the same scope compared to what happened to McAmmond.

Posted by Sherry on 09/26/07 at 12:34 PM ET

Kind of ironic that he says, “You don’t want to see stuff like that,” yet also says, “he’ll get what’s coming to him next time we play him, for sure.” Just a bit hypocritical.

Posted by K24 from NYC on 09/26/07 at 02:49 PM ET

This is a sensitive one, because I do think Downie was probably trying to put a hurt on McAmmond, but I don’t think he lead with his elbow, charged (his feet were on the ice as he approached) or left his feet until he made contact and followed through (some may argue he left his feet prior to the hit). Then again most hits are intended to have your opponent think about handling the puck and aren’t entirely designed to change possesion.

The biggest problem is that he hit a player that was prone because in the replays I have seen McAmmond didn’t have the puck. So regardelss of everything else it isn;t a legal hit. It is these late hits that are doing all of the damage. The NHL has got to do a better job of defining possession and increasing the penalty for late hits.

If Downie is suspended it is because the NHL has finally instituted a new rule that allows interference to be called a major. This is probably the right interpretation of the rule here and how strict Collin Campbell’s wheel of justice is applied will be telling.

Posted by Hockey1919 from montreal on 09/26/07 at 03:59 PM ET

Brian McGrattan may be a “goon” in the sense that he fights, but by no means is he a dirty player. He fights other goons, hits clean, and doesn’t take liberties. Like most players who play that role, he’s a pretty clean player as far as (what I consider) dirty plays are concerned.

And any comparison to Neil’s hit on Drury last year is downright laughable.

Posted by Chris McMurtry on 09/26/07 at 04:47 PM ET