The NHL Closer is written by Greg Wyshynski, of The FanHouse and The Fourth Period. He is also the author of Glow Pucks And 10-Cent Beer.

Friends of Dean McAmmond. Before we get to this week's Brewmeister Ratings, a word about yesterday's fizzle of a showdown between injury-plagued Ottawa and Philadelphia. It was the first time Steve Downie was to face the Senators following his 20-game suspension for launching himself like a missile at Dean McAmmond in a game last September. The Canadian media wanted blood; instead, they were treated to a 6-1 Orange and Black ass-whupping that had some Sens fans reaching for alcoholic pudding, while tough guy Brian McGrattan went from swearing revenge on Downie to injuring himself in a first-period fight with Riley Cote (video). But the Flyers, 10-1-1 in their last 12 games, should consider themselves lucky: Although McAmmond played over 17 minutes, his furious, unstoppable alter ego "Hank" did not see any ice time -- and Dean believes "Hank" is a much better player than he is.

"Hank" falls somewhere between the bat-shit crazy of Donte Stallworth's alien friend "Nicco" and the innocent whimsy of Clinton Portis's "Southeast Jerome." It was the name given to McAmmond's quick-tempered persona by former teammate Marc Savard, ...

Read the full post at Deadspin

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