Lowry looks at bad hit as a lesson learned

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This article was published 29/11/2014 (4033 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BOSTON — He was equal parts remorseful and apologetic.

But as difficult as the last couple of days have been for Winnipeg Jets rookie Adam Lowry — from being kicked out of the game Wednesday in Buffalo for his hit from behind on Patrick Kaleta to finding out Thursday he had been suspended for one game — the real pain might have come from having to watch his teammates in action against the Boston Bruins from the press box at TD Garden.

“It’s a play that happens fast. Any time you’re on the ice I don’t think you’re going in trying to put someone in that vulnerable position and take advantage of them,” said Lowry Friday morning after the team’s game-day skate at Boston University.

“From my perspective, I didn’t realize necessarily how far away from the wall he was. I was just trying to get a pin… I know you can’t hit guys on their numbers. Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt on that play.”

Lowry sat out the Bruins game and forfeited $4,453.41 of his salary, which went to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

“There’s no room in the game of hockey for hits like that,” said Lowry. “I respect the NHL’s decision. I try and play hard, that’s important for my game to try and be a physical player, within the rules. Sometimes you have to face some of the consequences that come with that… for plays that aren’t necessarily hockey-related.

“I was just getting in on the forecheck. We’re trying to be a hard team to play against and I wasn’t necessarily trying to finish him through the boards. You see my reaction afterward… it’s more ‘Oh no, what did I do?’ I just didn’t want him to beat me up the ice. It’s one of those plays where if he’s closer to the boards, I don’t think he’s going to go falling in like that and there might not be a suspension.

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“I have to be careful of my body and be aware of people in those positions. You can’t take advantage of stuff like that.”

His confession aside, Lowry also said the suspension won’t see him alter his style of game at all. He’s a big dude at 6-5, 207 pounds and needs to continue to play big.

“My entire career, something I’ve tried to focus on is being physical and hard to play against,” he said. “This is my first suspension. There’s a way you can find that balance. I don’t think you need to be taking dirty runs at guys.”

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPEdTait