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Roman Josi Injury: High Hit by Steve Downie Takes Out Nashville Predators Defenseman

Will the NHL take action to suspend noted headhunter Steve Downie after his hit on Roman Josi tonight?

After taking a high hit by Colorado Avalanche forward Steve Downie, Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi has left tonight's game. While we don't know the specific of the injury, we should note that Josi has suffered a concussion before, during the 2011 training camp.

Josi was turning up-ice deep in the defensive zone when Downie caught him hard, leaping into a hit that leveled the Preds blueliner. Shea Weber and Gabriel Bourque were on the scene to go after Downie, and on the play, Downie received only a two minute minor for Charging, while Weber received a double-minor for Roughing.

That's right, Downie threw a cheap shot and the Avalanche earned a power play out of it.

Here's video (hat tip to Section303):


Steve Downie's History of Cheap Shots

Downie has tried to reinvent himself as a player in recent seasons, after a series of cheap shots earned him a reputation for being a head-hunter (that hit earned him a 20-game suspension) and blind-side specialist (that got him another game), willing to make the most reckless, dangerous plays while battling opponents. His fall into the legs of Sidney Crosby is one of the most cowardly, disgusting things I've ever seen on NHL ice.

He's been suspended twice, once for 20 games

Tonight, he took out one of Nashville's most important players, their top-pairing left side defenseman. We'll stay tuned to see if the NHL has any say about the matter. Even Denver sportswriters have to wonder about this:

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