Barrasso swears he's sorry | CBC Sports

Ottawa Senators goaltender Tom Barrasso was in a somewhat repentant mood Friday.

Barrasso created a furor Wednesday when he swore during a television interview, after leading the Senators past the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 at the Corel Centre, to tie the best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarter-final 2-2.

"I really couldn't give a s--t what you people have to say," Barrasso told CBC's Scott Oake, after being asked if he had heard any of the criticism of his play during Ottawa's two losses to open the series in Toronto.

Barrasso's profanity sparked a storm of media controversy, although the CBC said it didn't receive any complaints.

Barrasso was asked if he had any regrets about the interview following an optional practice at the Corel Centre on Friday, in preparation for Game 5 at the Air Canada Centre on Saturday night (7 p.m. EDT, CBC).

Barrasso said he was sorry about how he expressed himself, but stood behind his sentiments in the interview.

"I used a profane word and I apologize to the parents and children that had to listen to that," he said. "That was unnecessary."

"However, the gist of the statement remains the same. I thought I expressed myself passionately. It was accidental that a vulgar word was used. I apologize and it won't happen again."

In response to Oake's question, Barrasso had also said, "I was the star of the game in Game 1 and we scored one goal in Game 2."

Following the profane comment, he added: "I mean, this is my life. I choose to do this. It's been a very hard year with the passing of my father and quite frankly, this is important to me. I don't really care what you (media) people have to say about it."

Barrasso, well known for his run-ins with the media, appeared relaxed Friday.

In fact, he seemed as relaxed as he has been in any interview since being acquired from Pittsburgh at the trade deadline for goaltender Ron Tugnutt and defenceman Janne Laukkanen.

"Obviously, we're in a lot better position than we were in a few days ago," said Barrasso, selected the first star of Wednesday's contest after stopping 31 shots. "There are always people you don't expect who come up with major contributions."

"Individual accomplishments in the playoffs don't mean a whole lot. When you're a goaltender, the team looks to you to make the saves you're supposed to, and maybe a few you're not. I think average goaltending is sometimes seen as poor in the playoffs."

Thanks to Barrasso, the Senators find themselves back in the series.

But Ottawa is hardly out of the woods yet.

Heading into Game 5, Ottawa has lost its last seven road playoff contests, dating back to April 24, 1998.

"It's a different year, a different situation," said Ottawa coach Jacques Martin. "I don't think the players are concerned about what happened last year."

"Game 1, we could have easily won. The second game, I can't explain it, we just didn't compete. Games 3 and 4, we came out more desperate. They were close games and we capitalized."

The Senators also received good news on the injury front Friday. Physical right-winger Kevin Dineen (separated shoulder), a 16-year NHL veteran obtained before the start of the season largely because of his playoff experience, is expected to return for Game 6 at the Corel Centre on Monday night.