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Canadiens forward Tom Kostopoulos suspended three games by NHL

Montreal Canadiens forward Tom Kostopoulos, front, hits Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Mike Van Ryn from behind during first period NHL action on Saturday, November 8, 2008 in Toronto. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

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Montreal Canadiens forward Tom Kostopoulos, front, hits Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Mike Van Ryn from behind during first period NHL action on Saturday, November 8, 2008 in Toronto. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

The Canadian Press

2008-11-10 17:40:00

TORONTO - Tom Kostopoulos says he's sorry but that still didn't stop the NHL from suspending the Montreal Canadiens' forward for hitting Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Mike Van Ryn from behind during a game Saturday night.

The NHL slapped Kostopoulos with a three-game suspension Monday for the hit that came during the first period of Toronto's 6-3 home victory.

Kostopoulos will forfeit almost US$33,000 in salary and will miss games Tuesday night against Ottawa, Thursday night at Boston and Saturday night against Philadelphia.

"I sincerely regret the injuries suffered by Mike Van Ryn," Kostopoulos said in a statement. "This is an unfortunate turn of events."

Kostopoulos received a five-minute boarding penalty and game misconduct after he rammed Van Ryn from behind while the Leafs defenceman retrieved the puck in the corner.

Van Ryn stayed on the ice for several minutes and was removed on a stretcher suffering from a concussion, broken nose and broken bone in his hand. He's expected to be out at least a month.

"I was just trying to get in on the forecheck and get the puck," added Kostopoulos, a veteran checking winger. "I didn't anticipate him turning and couldn't stop.

"I was trying to finish my check and obviously, it did not end up well. I never intend to injure another player. I feel bad. I hope he is going to be all right and resume playing as quickly as possible."

NHL vice-president Colin Campbell said Kostopoulos was a repeat offender. He received an automatic one-game suspension last season for instigating a fight late in a game against the Boston Bruins.

"While it is my determination that Kostopoulos did not deliver a check to an unsuspecting opponent, his actions caused injuries," Campbell said in a statement.

The incident sparked debate between those who felt Van Ryn should not have turned his back on the play and those who say a defenceman should have the right to protect the puck without getting slammed from behind.

COMMENTS (18)

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Josh Posted
(2009-04-30 07:19:09)



Your right Mike. By informing you "IDIOTS" who do not know that both players need to take responsibility for there actions, I am just trying to start crap. Take your head out of your butt and learn how to play the game. Way back in pee wee you were taught how to give a hit and TAKE a hit. And I don't wish injury on any one, and for you to say that and not even know me, just shows how very little you understand, and how much of a "low life" you truly are. Very immature, time to grow up buddy.
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Jessie Posted
(2009-04-30 07:18:59)



All the suspensions the flyers got last year were earned.
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siflyguy Posted
(2009-04-30 07:18:55)



Dave and Flyer guy, you are both so right. My first thought was when I heard about the suspension was how long would it have been had Kostopoulos been wearing orange and black. Then I'm patiently waiting for the Home page to display the daily poll question if readers had felt if the length of the suspension adequate. We're still being asked about Pavel Bure's qualification for HOF entry. Last year, the question was raised 5 times concerning Flyer suspensions. It's all very interesting.
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Dave Posted
(2009-04-30 07:18:50)



If it was a Flyer-6months would be adequate
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Maxime Posted
(2009-04-30 07:18:47)



Wow...is Josh the only one here who ever played contact hockey? Van Ryn played the puck like if he was in the Beer Leagues...He had 2 things he could do : outskate Kostopoulos, or push the puck alongside the board and take the hit. That's how you play contact hockey. But some players still think they can cheat the contact, and play the puck like if they were alone on the ice. I'm sorry to see another injured player, but they have to learn they can't cheat their way out of contact now that they are playing NHL level hockey. You have split seconds to take decisions and when you know you're about to get hit, intentionnally turning your back to the opposite player isn't the best one. Look at the rules. If the player intentionnally turns his back on the impending hit, no penalty shall be assessed. Thats what it says. But Colin is unable to use his judgement, so he bases his penalty on the consequence itself. This isn't how justice works Colin. The action is to be penalized. What action here caused the injury? The check, or the wrong move Van Ryn tried to pull? Because if Van Ryn plays the puck intelligently, and tries to outskate Kostopoulos, all we have is a clean hit with no injured parties. Van Ryn brought it on himself, and Kostopoulos should not be penalized for it. Colin just can't assume the fact that if Van Ryn gets back up, nothing happens.
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Flyer guy Posted
(2009-04-30 07:18:47)



How many games would he have received if he had a P on his chest?
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horst fiebig Posted
(2009-04-30 07:18:47)



Here is my take on these flagrant fouls: the goon stays off the ice until the injured player is able to come back. Why should the team of the injured player suffer?
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Jessie Posted
(2009-04-30 07:18:45)



3 games is low...5 would have been more appropriate. Peca got 5 for touching a refs elbow. When you factor in the injuries that Mike faced you have to give Tom more than 3 for sure. Btw Josh, you really can't throw out jabs about someone's grammar until yours gets cleaned up. "People with glass houses"....just sayin'...
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Sal Posted
(2009-04-30 07:18:44)



How is a boarding call the same as instigating a fight? They are two separate infractions. I don't see how he's a "repeat" offender.
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Betoobin Posted
(2009-04-30 07:18:44)



If a Leaf falls in the forest, will Colin Campbell hear it? Too bad it wasn't Hollweg that Kostopoulos "boarded", that would have been sweet poetic justice. Hey Josh, your spelling should have gotten better by now, after all, you went to high school didn't you?
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“I was coming in to take the boards away and had some good jump. He bobbled the puck at the last second and I don’t think he saw me coming at all. It was a shoulder right in his chest. He’s eight feet tall, so it’s not like you could hit him in the head.”

- Ottawa's Chris Neil about a hit he threw on Tampa's Victor Hedman Thursday night, causing Hedman to leave the game.

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