Johnson, Valk return; McCauley has night off

By MIKE ZEISBERGER -- Toronto Sun
Mike Johnson wants to get healthy, not even.

Revenge against Detroit's Mathieu Dandenault is not even an issue for Johnson, who was tripped by the Red Wings defenceman during a 1-1 tie between the Red Wings and Maple Leafs on Saturday at the Air Canada Centre. Johnson left the game after sliding heavily into the boards.

Leafs general manager/coach Pat Quinn was upset with Dandenault's infraction. "There's no courage in that," Quinn said after the game. "There's no bravery."

Johnson harbours no such ill will.

"I don't think (Dandenault) did it intentionally," the right winger said yesterday. "He was in a little better control than I was. He was sitting on me, so he was in an awkward position too.

"I've seen a replay. It wasn't too bad. It probably looked worse than it was.

"It wasn't a head injury or anything. I probably could have come back in that game. I think it was just a precautionary thing."

The incident left Johnson with stiffness in his back. Yet, both he and fellow forward Garry Valk were back in the Leafs lineup last night for the game against the San Jose Sharks at the Air Canada Centre.

Valk missed two games with a deep cut on his left elbow. He was hurt during a 2-0 loss to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks last week.

"It feels good," Valk said. "There was just concern when you sweat, it might cause the cut to swell."

While Johnson and Valk are relatively healthy again, forward Alyn McCauley continues to recover from the concussions that threatened to end his career. Quinn chose not to dress McCauley last night, stressing that it still requires more time for the Brockville native to regain his old form.

"This is just a chance for him to reflect on a few things," Quinn said. "His progress is positive but he has a ways to go to fully make it back.

"He doesn't need to be put under a magnifying glass. He needs to get away from that. Remember he was out of competition for six months.

"To suggest that he is back where he was, the answer is no. Just like a knee injury, the brain also takes time."

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