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Gaustad blasts Downie’s ‘dumb hit,’ hints at retribution

Nashville Predators v Florida Panthers

SUNRISE, FL - MARCH 03: Paul Gaustad #28 of the Nashville Predators skates in his first game as a Predator against the Florida Panthers at the BankAtlantic Center on March 3, 2012 in Sunrise, Florida. The Predators defeated the Panthers 3-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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The NHL has reviewed Steve Downie’s hit on Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi and hasn’t scheduled a hearing, but it seems the Predators aren’t going to forget about it.

“I take issue with that [hit],” Nashville forward Paul Gaustad said, according to the Denver Post’s Adrian Dater. “He’s one of those players who looks for the crowd to cheer him on or something like that, I don’t know… it was a dumb hit and we know who did it. We play these guys several times this year.”

If you missed the hit previously, here it is:

Downie received two minutes for charging while Nashville’s Shea Weber ended up with a double minor for roughing. Meanwhile Josi has an upper-body injury.

Predators coach Barry Trotz called it the type of hit the league’s trying to get rid of, while Avalanche coach Patrick Roy praised Downie for his leadership and composure.

As for why there was no hearing, NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan stated that Downie’s skates were on the ice at the initial point of contact while Josi’s head is low.

These two teams will meet again on Nov. 6.

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