Late hit leaves Leafs' Thomas feeling bad

By TIM WHARNSBY -- Toronto Sun A remorseful Steve Thomas yesterday phoned Jason York to apologize for his dangerous hit on the Ottawa Senators defenceman.
As the buzzer sounded to end the Senators' dominating 4-3 victory against the Maple Leafs on Saturday, Thomas drilled York from behind in a corner of the Senators zone.
The collision bloodied York's face and broke his nose. Thomas was levied a fight-minute boarding penalty and a game misconduct.
"That was nice of him to call," York said. "He is a classy guy. I know Steve Thomas. I don't think he was out there to hurt me. He is a pretty honest guy."
Thomas said he had no intention of hurting York. However, the Leafs veteran faces a possible suspension because the hit occurred after the game clock had expired.
Edmonton Oilers forward Josef Beranek creamed San Jose Sharks defenceman Brad Stuart in a similar hit from behind last Thursday.

LOST TRACK OF TIME LEFT
Beranek took a five-minute boarding penalty but was not suspended by the league because executive vice-president Colin Campbell ruled the puck was nearby. But that hit happened during the third period.
"I wasn't aware of how much time was left on the clock," Thomas said. "I actually thought there was about 20 seconds left.
"I didn't have a good feeling about what I did. It wasn't my intent to hurt him. I would not want anything like that to happen to me."
Thomas has not been suspended during his 16-year NHL career. But Flyers general manager Bob Clarke tried to get the winger suspended during the opening round of the playoffs last spring for elbowing Philadelphia defenceman Eric Desjardins on the head.
With the Mighty Ducks' Ruslan Salei grabbing headlines for his nasty shove from behind on Dallas standout Mike Modano nine days ago, Thomas could not have picked a worse time for his questionable actions in Ottawa.
"The way it looked, the hit looked pretty bad," Thomas said. "If the league takes a look at it and determines I should sit out a couple of games, it will be disappointing. At the same time I can understand it.
"I was forechecking and going in for the puck. I thought he saw me coming and he turned."
York, who is expected to play for Ottawa against the New Jersey Devils this afternoon, said he didn't see Thomas coming.
"Guys have to have more control or somebody is going to get seriously hurt," York said.
Leafs general manager/coach Pat Quinn defended his right winger, who hasn't scored in four games but has four assists.
"It didn't look to me like a hit from behind," Quinn said. "It was more a hit from the side. (York) not only saw Steve coming, he appeared to brace himself."

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