The Lightning's AHL affiliate in Norfolk is appealing the 20-game suspension of Admirals right wing Steve Downie handed down by the league for an incident that occurred with 12 seconds left in the third period of a Feb. 28 game with Hershey.

The league ruled Downie deliberately slashed linesman Mike Hamilton with intent to injure during a faceoff. Already suspended pending the investigation, Downie has served three games. If he serves the entire 20 games, he is eligible to return April 11 in Norfolk's last game. He will remain on indefinite suspension during the appeal.

Downie's agent, Rick Curran, said the appeal concerns the league not interviewing Downie during the investigation.

"There was no opportunity to defend himself," Curran said.

The Lightning's statement of support for Norfolk requested "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."

The statement also said "Downie struck the official (during the course of play) with the follow-through of his stick after winning a faceoff against Hershey's Andrew Jourdrey."

But Jim Mill, the league's vice president for hockey operations, said the video of the incident was "clear cut," and that he had no doubt Downie acted deliberately.

"Absolutely not," Mill said. "I don't come to these decisions lightly. There's absolutely no wavering in my decision."