Kerfoot offers apology after suspension for hit in Colorado

TORONTO The Toronto Maple Leafs are going to be without forward Alex Kerfoot until their next home game, on Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres.

Kerfoot on Monday was suspended two games by the National Hockey League for his hit on Colorado Avalanche defenceman Erik Johnson during this past Saturday’s game.

“First and foremost, I think I am disappointed in myself,” Kerfoot said after the Leafs practised at the Ford Performance Centre on Monday. “It was a bad play. I know Johnson well and I just hope he is all right. I hope he doesn’t miss any time or anything like that.

“I feel terrible about the incident. I didn’t mean to do it by any means, but it’s a bad spot on the ice and something I should not be doing.

“I saw him after the game and apologized. There is not much you can say. You can apologize all you want, but it’s something you shouldn’t be doing on the ice.

“It was a little bit unfortunate the way he lost the puck and stumbled right before I hit him, then he is off-balance in that moment, but that being said, I am fully responsible for the play. I hope he is all right, but there is nothing that is going to take it back.”

Kerfoot, acquired by the Leafs from Colorado in the off-season, received a minor for boarding on the play in the second period after he cross-checked Johnson into the end boards at the Pepsi Center. Johnson stayed in the game, but did not practise on Monday.

Kerfoot, who will miss road games in Detroit on Wednesday and in Buffalo on Friday, will forfeit US$37,634.40 in salary.

With new coach Sheldon Keefe implementing new systems this week, Kerfoot won’t be able to take advantage in the next couple of games.