Mike Van Ryn Sidelined with Numerous Injuries Following Tom Kostopolous Hit

Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach Ron Wilson announced last night that defenseman Mike Van Ryn will be sidelined at least a month following a hit from behind at the hands of Montreal Canadiens forward Tom Kostopolous.

Van Ryn has a concussion, a broken nose, a swollen eye, a gash on his forehead, and a broken hand.

The hit occurred in the opening period of last night's 6-3 Maple Leafs win.  Van Ryn was heading into the boards with his back turned chasing the puck when Kostopolous hammered him into the boards.

According to TSN's Darren Dreger, Colin Campbell and the NHL will be taking a closer look at the hit this morning, however at this time there is no hearing scheduled for Kostopolous.

The Maple Leafs were able to use the hit as possible motivation to hand Montreal a loss in Toronto last night.

"It was a dirty hit" said Maple Leafs Matt Stajan.  "It's something that can't happen in the game.  Luckily we made them pay."

Stajan was asked if there should be discipline to Kostopolous, to which he replied "I hope so."

He later went on to say, "He (Kostopolous) is a good guy and he plays the game properly, but I hope the league takes a look at this."

For his part, Kostopolous feels terrible about the incident and said he kind of knows Van Ryn and will try to contact him with an apology sometime today.

"I didn't anticipate he would turn," said Kostopolous.  "I couldn't stop...I hope Mike is alright."

Kostopolous also tried to sway the notion that the hit was dirty.

"I was trying to get the puck.  I know in my head that I wasn't trying to hurt him.  I feel bad.  I don't think I play dirty and I don't think I try to hurt players."