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Downie Awaits AHL's Ruling

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON The Tampa Tribune

The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 3, 2009

TAMPA - The fate of prospect Steve Downie could be decided today.

Downie was written up for physical abuse of an official at the end of Saturday's game between Norfolk, Tampa Bay's top minor-league affiliate, and Hershey. According to reports, Downie slashed the shins of linesman Mike Hamilton during a faceoff with 14 seconds remaining.

Downie, acquired from Philadelphia along with D Steve Eminger for D Matt Carle in November, has been suspended indefinitely by the AHL pending a review of the incident.

League spokesman Jason Chaimovitch said Monday that AHL officials are awaiting a video of the incident to be delivered before starting the review process. Should a hearing determine that Downie intentionally struck Hamilton, the penalty for physical abuse of an official carries an automatic minimum 20-game suspension.

Downie, 21, has a history of trouble, including a 20-game suspension while with Philadelphia for a flagrant hit on Ottawa's Dean MacAmmond during a 2007 preseason game. Downie was suspended for three games this season for a hit from behind to Worcester's Kyle McLaren.

In 23 games with the Lightning this season, Downie, 21, has three goals, six points and 54 penalty minutes. He has eight goals and 25 points in 22 games with Norfolk.

A RECORD FOR RECCHI

Lost in the hoopla of milestone moments for Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier's 300th career goal and Calgary's Jarome Iginla scoring his 400th in Sunday's wild 8-6 Tampa Bay victory was the record-setting night for RW Mark Recchi.

The 41-year-old set a Lightning franchise record with five assists, which also tied his career high. He broke a record shared by six players - Adrian Aucoin, Marc Bureau, Pavel Kubina, Joe Reekie, Marty St. Louis and Lecavalier. The five points in a game are the second-most in franchise history, shared with four others, and behind Doug Crossman's six points set Nov. 7, 1992, against the Islanders.

In addition, Recchi moved past Bryan Trottier into 14th place on the all-time scoring list with 1,426 points. Recchi also tied Dale Hawerchuk for 20th place on the all-time assist list with 891 assists and needs three more assists to tie Phil Housley for 18th place.

With tonight's game against Pittsburgh the last before Wednesday's trade deadline, Recchi may reach that next milestone marker in a different uniform. Recchi has enjoyed a strong season, ranking third on the team with 45 points, and his Stanley Cup-winning experience will likely be coveted for a playoff-bound team.

Erik Erlendsson

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