According to Nicklas Backstrom, Tim Thomas apologized in the series-ending handshake line for punching him with his blocker, and other headshots Backstrom took from Boston players during the series against the Bruins, who the Caps sent home last night with a Game Seven overtime game-winning series-clinching beatiful ugly goal (G7OTGWSCBUG) by Joel Ward.

Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet quotes Backstrom (as translated into Russian by Sports.ru):

During the handshake, Thomas apologized for punching me with his blocker in Game 2. He also apologized for all the punches to the face I’ve gotten from his teammates. You know, I was really glad to hear it. It was pleasant. You’ve got to respect moves like that. Tim is great.

It’s not easy to lose a series in the NHL, let alone lose it gracefully, but the reigning Stanley Cup champs bowed out with dignity last night after a hard-fought, tightly contested series. Several longer conversations took place in the handshake line, and after the game had ended, Thomas took a moment to skate over to a disappointed young fan and remind him to smile.

Now that’s class.