Coyotes' May suspended 20 games by NHL

NEW YORK (AP) _ Brad May's clean past couldn't protect him from one of the harshest penalties in league history. <br><br>The Phoenix left wing was suspended Wednesday for 20 games _ the NHL's

Thursday, November 16th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) _ Brad May's clean past couldn't protect him from one of the harshest penalties in league history.

The Phoenix left wing was suspended Wednesday for 20 games _ the NHL's fourth-longest suspension for an on-ice violation _ for slashing Columbus forward Steve Heinze. The hit, for which May has apologized, will cost him nearly $120,000 in salary.

``You have to be held accountable for your actions and your stick,'' May said of the hit that opened a cut on Heinze's nose, requiring nine stitches. ``It was completely unintentional. I had no reason to go after Steve Heinze. It was a reaction to a backcheck when he got better position on me. I didn't want to hurt him. I just wanted to let him know I was there.''

May received a match penalty for attempt to injure in Saturday night's game and sat out the two games since the infraction. Heinze, who accepted May's apology following the game, was not seriously hurt.

``I get suspended 20 games, which is a severe penalty. If that's the price you pay on an accident made with your stick, then I have to be OK with the situation,'' said May, who met with Colin Campbell, the league's director of operations, in Toronto on Tuesday.

``I can sleep well at night knowing that I am an honest player who had absolutely no intention whatsoever to do this,'' May added.

Campbell said that while May ``has not previously been suspended by the league for a supplementary discipline incident, he must be held accountable for the reckless use of his stick in this instance.

``It is fortunate Mr. Heinze did not suffer a more serious injury,'' Campbell said. ``The message to all players in the NHL should be clear: The act of a player striking an opponent in the head with his stick will carry severe consequences.''

May is eligible to return Jan. 4 at home against the New York Rangers.

``I think it was a very harsh suspension. We're going to miss him terribly over the next 18 games,'' said Coyotes general manager Bobby Smith, adding that the team made its case to the NHL on Tuesday and has no avenue for an appeal.

``I certainly hope the (Marty) McSorley incident had nothing to do with this,'' Smith said. ``I think it had to do with the fact that the league decided this year to lower the bar on this type of incident.''

Blue Jackets general manager Doug MacLean told The Fan, an all-sports radio station in Toronto, that the stiff penalty was necessary.

``Careless with the stick is a problem, there's no doubt about that,'' MacLean said. ``Steve Heinze only got nine stitches on the end of the nose, but it very well could have been an eye or it could have been a broken jaw or is could have been something more serious.

``I guess it comes to a point that it's unfortunate for Brad May, but maybe it's good for everybody to see how severely this is going to be treated.''

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, May will forfeit $117,647 of his salary. The money goes to the Players Emergency Assistance Fund.

McSorley is sitting out one year for hitting Donald Brashear in the head with his stick Feb. 21. Gordie Dwyer of Tampa Bay was suspended for 23 games for abusing officials and coming out of the penalty box to fight in an exhibition game against the Washington Capitals on Sept. 19.

Dale Hunter of the Capitals sat out 21 games for hitting Pierre Turgeon, who was celebrating a goal, during the 1993 playoffs. Tom Lysiak of the Chicago Blackhawks was suspended for 20 games for tripping an official in 1983.