SLAM! Sports
SLAM! Hockey
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
COLUMNS
NHL
The Teams
Full Schedule
Monthly Schedule
Standings
Statistics
Rosters
Injury list
Movement
Trades
Hits Gallery
INTERACTIVE
JUNIOR
MORE HOCKEY
ALSO ON SLAM!
Wednesday, December 8, 1999
Stumpy sends no regrets to Sabre
Upon further review, Steve Thomas refuses to back down.
While the National Hockey League examines video evidence of his hit from behind on Buffalo Sabres forward Vaclav Varada during the latter stages of the Maple Leafs' 3-2 win Monday night, Thomas suggested his tactics against Varada might be applauded behind closed doors by other NHL players.
"There might be a few guys around the league who are happy about it," Thomas said yesterday.
"I don't go out there with an intent to injure. I haven't been disciplined yet. Unfortunately I hit him from behind a little bit. He wasn't facing the boards.
"(Varada) runs around, too. He has hit a few guys from behind this season."
Vigilante justice sometimes brings smiles to NHL players' faces, depending on how despised the victim is. When Tie Domi sucker-punched New York Rangers defenceman Ulf Samuelsson four years ago (earning the Leafs tough guy an eight-game suspension), it was a welcome sight for many who had been on the wrong end of a Samuelsson cheap shot.
Retaliating for a Varada slash moments earlier at the Air Canada Centre, Thomas was assessed a boarding minor. A suspension or fine could be pending. Varada was not injured.
"It's out of my hands," Thomas said.
Should Thomas be punished by the NHL, a ruling would come before the Maple Leafs' next game, tomorrow night in Philadelphia.
FLAME SUSPENDED
The league did suspend the Calgary Flames' Denis Gauthier yesterday for his blindside hit Monday on New York Rangers forward Tim Taylor.
"I don't think it's a reviewable hit," Leafs general manager/coach Pat Quinn said. "(Varada) knew the hit was coming. The biggest problem is when guys are unsuspecting."
Leafs executive Bill Watters was not surprised the play was being looked at.
"When you play in the same building as the NHL offices, you expect someone to be on hand to check things out," Watters said. "There is no reason for us to be bitter."
The fact that Thomas came back to score the winner just 65 seconds into overtime underscores just how resilient the Leafs have been of late. Toronto has come from behind to collect points in its past three games, all of which went into overtime.
Six days ago, Garry Valk collected his first goal of the season with 1:23 left in regulation to salvage a 2-2 tie with Carolina. Captain Mats Sundin scored in overtime Saturday for a 3-2 win over Pittsburgh.
The coup de grace came against Buffalo, as the Leafs came out on top despite spotting the Sabres two goals in the first 4:10.
"We can't lull ourselves into feeling we can do this on a regular basis," Quinn said. "It's not a place we want to be. Look around the league, and even the good teams struggle to come back."
The Leafs take a five-game unbeaten streak (4-0-1) to Philadelphia where they'll take on the Flyers tomorrow in the first game of a home-and-home series. The rematch goes Saturday in Toronto.
 Bert's back on blades Blue Jays boot game Bombers drop Peterson Felicien rebuilds race | Visit our Polls Archive |