Canadian Press
4/21/2007 8:32:32 PM
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Kim Johnsson has recovered from the punch to his head that knocked him out of the last game, but the Minnesota Wild are still sore about it.
Eliminated by the Anaheim Ducks in their first-round playoff series Thursday night, the Wild remained angry two days later that Brad May - a fourth-line wing for the Ducks who has only 11 goals over his last four seasons - injured their best defenceman and was suspended by the NHL for only three games.
"I feel that's not the way to do it," Johnsson said. "If he wants to fight, at least tell me that he wants to do something so I can protect myself."
In his first public comments since the hit in the final moments of Tuesday's Game 4, Johnsson showed a slight bruise under his left eye. He said that May called him to apologize, declining to elaborate on the conversation but acknowledging that it was heated at times.
Initially fearing his cheekbone was broken, Johnsson had a CT scan at a local hospital and remained under observation while his team travelled to Anaheim for Game 5. Though he's had a problem in the past with concussions, Johnsson said on Saturday that he was feeling fine.
Physically, at least.
"It's just sad when stuff like that can happen," he said.
General manager Doug Risebrough went further, alleging that the punch broke May's hand and left him immediately unable to play - therefore rendering the suspension irrelevant.
Without naming him, Risebrough also blamed Ducks GM Brian Burke for acquiring May from Colorado at the trade deadline. May previously played for Burke when they were both with Vancouver.
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