Admirals support Downie, appeals long suspension

The Norfolk Admirals are appealing the American Hockey League's 20-game suspension of forward Steve Downie for deliberately striking an official with his stick in Saturday's game against Hershey.

Norfolk's NHL parent club, the Tampa Bay Lightning, acknowledges the mercurial Downie bruised the shin of linesman Mike Hamilton late in the Admirals' 6-4 loss to Hershey. But the club is arguing the hit was accidental.

"To clarify public reports, the player struck the official (during the course of play) with the follow-through of his stick after winning a face-off against Hershey's Andrew Joudrey," the NHL club contended in a statement.

"The Lightning has requested that the American Hockey League consider additional evidence in the matter and requests that the player receive a modicum of due process before a final decision is rendered."

Tampa Bay officials said they will have no further comment until the appeal is heard. In a separate statement, the Admirals said their players, coaches and staff also will not comment.

It the suspension stands, it will be the second 20-game ban levied against Downie, a 21-year-old former first-round draft pick. The first came in 2007 after Downie, then playing for Philadelphia, was punished for elbowing Ottawa's Dean McAmmond in the head during a preseason game.

Last November, the Admirals handed Downie a three-game suspension after he got ejected for hitting Worcester's Kyle McLaren from behind.

Downie already has served three games of his current suspension. If he sits out the full 20, he will miss all but the Admirals' final regular-season game on April 11 at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

The Admirals said they aren't sure how quickly the appeal will be heard. A club official also said the team hasn't decided whether Downie will practice with the team during the ban.

ICE CHIPS

The Lightning assigned defenseman Richard Petiot to the Admirals on Thursday. Tampa Bay acquired Petiot on Wednesday in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs.... The Lightning also returned forward Brandon Segal to the Admirals. Segal, who ranks second among Admirals in goals (21) and points (41), appeared in his first NHL game on Tuesday.... The Admirals will hold their second Military Appreciation Night of the season at 7:15 tonight against Lowell. Tickets are $8 for all members of the military with ID. The discounted tickets are only available at the Scope box office.