Sports

STEVENS SEES RED OVER HIS HARD HITS

Scott Stevens threw a vicious verbal shoulder into reporters yesterday, saying that he’s incensed over the endless talk about his concussion-causing hits.

“I’ve been playing for 19 years and I haven’t changed my style,” Stevens said passionately before the Devils tried to close out the Hurricanes and the series in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals at the Meadowlands Arena last night. “It’s like suddenly everyone’s noticed Scott Stevens or something. It’s like I just learned how to hit. It’s amazing to me.”

The Devils’ 37-year old defenseman has stood out in this series for his devastating (but legal) hits on Shane Willis and Ron Francis in Games 2 and 3, respectively. Both of the Hurricanes suffered concussions and neither has returned to the ice. As a result, Carolina has retaliated by going after Stevens on several occasions, though Hurricane coach Paul Maurice has refused to criticize the Devil captain for his hard-hits.

Feeling vilified for his aggressive play, a steaming Stevens defended his style and said he’s not concerned about earning a reputation as simply a big hitter.

“I’m actually a little angry,” Stevens said, his voice rising. “And when I’m angry, you don’t want me angry.

“Hitting is hard work. Hitting is getting your nose dirty. There are a lot of guys that don’t want to do that. I wake up sore in the morning, too. I know I get respect around the league. I know that these guys around [the dressing room] believe in me and that’s all I care about. That’s all I care about.

“There are guys in this league that are big hitters that are big tough guys. You know what? They’re cheap-shot artists. Elbows, hitting from behind. Come on. Wake-up everybody.”

Stevens gained national attention during last season’s playoffs when he delivered a an open-ice hard-shoulder into the unsuspecting Eric Lindros. Lindros left the game with a concussion and hasn’t played since.

Now, Stevens said he is upset that his big hits only receive attention when they injure a player. He pointed out that his check of Sami Kapanen in Game 4 was overlooked, but actually was harder than the ones he put on Willis or Francis.

“If that kid was hurt I would have had every [reporter] in the building in front of me,” he said. “No one was hurt so there was nothing to write about.”