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CuJo loses his cool
Posted: Tuesday April 18, 2000 02:15 AM
KANATA, Ontario (AP) -- Toronto goalie Curtis Joseph saw the puck and couldn't get it. Then he lost control. Ottawa forward Rob Zamuner scored what proved to be the winning goal Monday night in the Senators' 4-3 victory over the Maple Leafs. Ottawa cut Toronto's lead to 2-1 in the first-round Eastern Conference playoff series. Joseph claimed interference, saying that Daniel Alfredsson prevented him from getting to the puck he saw sliding into the net. Joseph then stormed out of the net and after referee Mick McGeough. The two tumbled to the ice and Joseph was given a misconduct with 5:43 remaining in the third period. "I felt I was clearly interfered with," Joseph said. "I could see the puck but I couldn't get my leg over there. I didn't like the way I reacted but it's an emotional game. "I eventually ended up with one leg in the net. There was contact. That's part of the game, but when it leads to the game-winning goal, that's frustrating." Alfredsson was checked into the net by defenseman Cory Cross. "It happened so fast," Cross said. "Alfredsson was going for the net. I think somehow he interfered with Curtis. I'm not sure how. It looked like maybe his leg went out. I was making sure he was outside the crease." The goalie was surprised when the possibility that he went after McGeough was raised. Intentional contact with an official carries an automatic three-game suspension. "If I was going to do anything to the referee, which I would never do, I wouldn't slide into him and let him fall on me," Joseph said. "I lost an edge and let him land on me." Alfredsson didn't agree with Joseph's assessment of the play. "I don't think it was anything unfair," Alfredsson said. "I got my foot out a bit, but he [Cross] kept pushing me." Toronto captain Mats Sundin took the situation in stride. "Cujo is one of the best competitors I know. Sure he gets upset." Joseph had no problem with his composure. "It's unfortunate," he said. "It was frustrating that I could see the puck but couldn't save it. "I'll get over it. We'll all get over it."
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