This is absolutely disgusting:

TORONTO (Reuters) - Vancouver Canucks (news) winger Todd Bertuzzi (news) was suspended indefinitely without pay by the NHL on Tuesday for deliberately injuring Steve Moore of the Colorado Avalanche (news).

Midway through the third period of Monday's game, won 9-2 by the Avalanche, Bertuzzi skated up behind Moore and struck the Colorado forward in the head, sending him crashing to the ice in a pool of blood.

Moore remained motionless for about 10 minutes while he received treatment before being carried off and taken to a Vancouver hospital for observation.

The extent of his injuries are not known.

A hearing will be conducted on Wednesday at the NHL offices in Toronto.

___________________________________________

And the cops decided to stay out of this. For those of you who would argue that this "is part of the game", this hit is as much part of hockey as Tiger Woods swinging his driver across his aponent's head would be. Interesting that Pete Rose was permanently banned from baseball for gambling and this Bertuzzi fucker will probably play again after the attempted murder.

the hit was disgusting or the suspension??...personally it was funny to watch because he road the guy for a good 3 ft. Understandably this is something children should not watch and as the trade deadline closes they are talking heavily on this issue. The psychological state of bertuzzi must be taken into a fact because the hit by Moore on Naslund was a dirty hit with elbows up but no action was taken, if Naslund was gone for the season this would be disappointing and bertuzzi was just standing up for his teammate.

Trying to deflect any of the blame on anyone other than Bertuzzi is pathetic. He is a repeat offender and should be out of the game. The same goes for others, in this and any other sport, who commit premeditated assault on others. There is absolutely no reason for tolerating the increased violence that has increasingly permeated sports in the past decade.

I also feel sorry for Trevor Linden, who broke the Canuck scoring record on a night that Bertuzzi made memorable for all the wrong reasons.

:m: Peace.

I just resaw the hit...and it looked like the momentum from Moore's teammate broke his neck. If you look at it Bertuzzi sucker punched him already(prolly gave hima concussion) but as they were following to the floor...the teammate jumped on top of Bertuzzi causing the impact to the ice.

No wait! It was the ice's fault. Maybe if the ice was more impact-friendly, his neck wouldn't break.

he clearly hit his head on the ice where the helmet did not protect him
but the punch alone, in this case, could easily give him a nasty concussion

Bertuzzi is a moron... why couldn't he just punch him in the ribs or something?

I think he should be permanently banned from the NHL. I also think that the whole Canuks team should be punished somehow for all the "payback" talk leading up to that game. This shit can not be tolerated in any sport! We're not talking about a stick or an elbow that may have accidentally (or not) slipped up to the head. This is a case of a well though out, premeditated assault. I’m glad the RCMP is looking into this and they better press charges. If I was at the game with my 8 year old son, I would sue the NHL. (never mind Jackson’s tit!)

ohoh so the entire philly team should be punished for talk about payback on havlat....or wait the col against detroit with talk about payback back in the late 90s...

There is always talk about payback ...we wouldn't have an nhl if everyplayer was punished. Yes I think bertuzzi should be suspended for the remainder of the season and at most the 1st rd but I mean there's alot of incidents out there with lazy stick work which people can call accidents but its up to the league to crack down on the rules and if they are to suspend bertuzzi they shoulda suspended moore more his hit on naslund. He got what he deserved

Yeah. The whole team should be penalized. The general acceptance and encouragement of “Enforcers” on every team is a bad thing for hockey. I say get rid of these guys (including the idiot Don Chery). Tough defense & offense and DICIPLINE makes good hockey.

Yeah. The whole team should be penalized. The general acceptance and encouragement of “Enforcers” on every team is a bad thing for hockey. I say get rid of these guys (including the idiot Don Chery). Tough defense & offense and DICIPLINE makes good hockey.

yes
and while at it, let's ban sticks (they're too dangerous) and skates (they can cut like a knife)
and pucks too. they're too hard and can fructure ankles. let's replace it with a tomato.

and no body checks and no going too fast.

and no commentating unless it's in the form of "it's the game that counts, not the win"

Neurocomp's suggestion is alright... plus a hefty fine

This is hardly the first time something like this has happened in hockey! I doubt many of you are old enough to remember the Flyers of the 70's, (the Broadstreet Bullies)but they had quite a reputation for spilling blood.

"yes
and while at it, let's ban sticks (they're too dangerous) and skates (they can cut like a knife)
and pucks too. they're too hard and can fructure ankles. let's replace it with a tomato."
That's SO goddamn funny, especially the tomato comment. I was on the floor for 5 minutes or so.

ha ha. yeah. Real funny. Funny how you weasel away from the topic. Topic is "FIGHTING in hockey". NERO, OTHE, Imman is for it. I'm against it

Well, throughout hockey, there have been several incidences like this. None of them have resulted in more than a 12 game suspension, and some of them have certainly been worse. Matt Johnson's sucker-punch on Jeff Beukeboom ended Beukeboom's career. Steve Moore will be walking by the weekend, and skating within 6-12 weeks. He is also expected to make a 100% recovery from the injuries. Plus, much of Moore's injuries could have been caused when the others jumped on the pile of players.

Bertuzzi has been suspended for the remaining 12 games, plus the entire playoffs. On top of that, he will have to meet with Commissioner Gary Bettman before training camp begins to determine if the suspension will continue into next season. Also, the Canucks organisation has been fined $250,000. If the Vancouver Police (not RCMP) hand the case over to the crown, and charges are laid, then the sentence may be extended based on how the courts rule (as was the case in the McSorley incident).

There is no doubt that this is inexcusable, and occurrences like these must be stopped. But, Bertuzzi is not normally a dirty player. He and Naslund are best friends, on and off the ice, and I'm sure he was emotionally affected and wasn't thinking clearly. However, he does have a temper, and should probably have counselling of some sort as a condition for return.

I don't see why his punishment should be any more severe than it has, unless assault charges are laid.

I think some of us are missing the point here. Yeah sure, stuff like this has gone on in hockey before -broadstreet bullies, McSorley etc... But what is it gonna take before drastic changes are made?? Is someone gonna have to die before that happens? Imagine, if you will, Moore dying as a result of his injuries.. Would you still hold true to your arguments?? Probably not. Keep in mind this is a case of assault, not two guys squaring off at centre ice willing to exchange blows.

if drastic changes are not made someone will be killed.. Then we'll all say gee, i never thought that would happen.. yeah right.

As for Grapes (Don Cherry for those inept) I love listening to the guy but his time has past.

I'd say let Bertuzzi play again and watch what happens to him when he does. I'll bet there's a price out on his head right now! Let him play, please, then it will be over.

he'll prolly have to go through alot of psycho analysis....but I say let him play in the cup if they make it that far...i mean i don't ever think there was ever a suspension that ran to the cup....usually 2 rds playoffs

Neurocomp, the suspension has already been handed down. If anything, it will be extended, not shortened. Bertuzzi's return is heavily dependent of Moore's. If Moore does not return for the beginning of next season, neither does Bertuzzi, I'm fairly certain of that.

fireguy, so what are you suggesting? Hockey has been far more violent in past generations, so what makes you think that someone will be killed now?

Yes, it has been more violent in the past - violence perpetrated by beer guzzling, cigarette smoking out of shape hasbeens. That violence is now perpetrated by finely tuned 'atheletes' who pump iron(not 12oz. of fluid), ingest performance enhancing 'nutrients'(not nicotine) enhanced by state of the art equipment and focussed training - coaches and mgrs stating, "you're roll is THIS" goon, enforcer etc.

The atheletes of today have evolved to being faster, stronger, better. Our state of mind should keep up with that evolution too. Don't you think?

Yes, I agree that the 'goon' role has perhaps outlived it's necessity. There are two 'buts' to that though; one is case specific, the other not.

The other is Bertuzzi is not an enforcer. He made a grave error in judgement, heated by his emotions, and he is suffering the consequences for those actions. He has to live with the guilt of seriously injuring another player, letting his team down by not being able to play with them, and by being a bad role model for the kids that watch/play hockey. His punishment is by far the most severe for an attack of this sort, and so it should be.

There are other types of players as well...antagonists if you will. Their job is to try and get a rise out of the other team. Players like Matthew Barnaby who will often take shots at the opponent's star players. Enforcers are around so that this doesn't happen. This is only acceptable if the so called grudge is dropped after the 60 minutes, and if no "foul play" is involved (ie. cheap shots, using the stick, etc.).

However, I get the feeling that you want players who commit acts such as these to be kicked out of hockey for good...

cosmictraveller, Bertuzzi is one of the bigger guys in the league. Sending him out on the ice to be punished by another team's players will likely not work out quite as planned (both physically, and because of the NHL's rules against the "third man in").

the enforcer is still needed if they don't crack down on highsticks.

and i know the suspension has already been handed out...i think they shoulda let him play in the cup if they make it that far ...moor didn't get any games for naslund being out 1mth and a 1/2

Moore's hit was clean though. The only reall issue is perhaps a judgement call, a courtesy, to not hit a player while he is in a vulnerable position on Moore's part. However, he was just finishing a check.

Idle...

Your position is valid. But only in the context of hockey. There is a larger more prevelant context being ignored - accountability and responsibility to society, not just hockey..

I love the game of hockey; I play it, watch it and discuss it (hence right now). As a kid I emulated players and teams alike - I was Henderson in 72(at least I pretended to be as a kid). Prof. Hockeys' influence goes far beyond the arena, locker rooms and benches. For that reason we must consider it in the larger context.

Mr. Bertuzzi 'should' be the fall guy for all others like him. He's the one who should be made an example of. I don't think he should ever play prof. hockey again. He must take responsibility for his actions by being held accountable to the larger context.

I don't agree. He shouldn't be out for longer than Moore is. If Steve Moore doesn't lace up the skates as a result of this incident, then neither does Bertuzzi. That would be fair. However, everything is still up in the air at this point, so it is too extreme to take that kind of action at this point in time. Also, depending on what the Vancouver Police decide to do, his suspension could be extended to a year (like in the McSorley case).

Idle...

In the context of hockey I respect your opinion and it makes sense. Yes, we'll have to wait and see what the larger context (Police) do..

Cheers.

oh man i was just reading the newspaper...which brought up a valid point...why did hitchcock of philly not get fined for syaing that "[havlat better watch it]"?

Oh and even though I don't like Don cherry he also brought up a point..regarding rookie coach Tony Granato of the avs...Granato knew there was bad blood between the two teams last time and he left moore out there unprotected. Cherry said Worrell was still sitting on the bench. This parallels the OTT, PHI game except these two coaches had their tough guys out on the ice at the end of the game.

(Note: I really should read both pages of the topic before posting. I see that most of what follows has already been covered.)

Saw a similar episode in the playoffs several years ago; Flyers and Redwings, or maybe Flyers and Devils. At any rate, as the puck cleared down the ice and the referees skated with the action, the last people left on one end of the ice were the goalkeeper, another player of indeterminate position--Doug Sheppard; I remember the incident, but I'm not that big a hockey fan to remember Sheppard's position, or anyone else's name--and a Flyer. The Flyer skated up behind Sheppard and took a baseball swing with his stick. Sheppard was knocked instantly unconscious and swayed on his feet, skating slowly for about ten feet until he collapsed in a heap on the ice. No penalty, and therefore no fine or suspension.

Remember that there has already been one hockey prosecution in recent years, stemming from an incident in Vancouver, as I recall.

Throughout pro sports, I think that if you intentionally injure someone, you should be suspended at least as long as it takes for them to return to the ice. If you end their career, you also end your own. Hockey would have some difficulty with this; baseball would suffer as Pedro Martinez could no longer arbitrarily try to kill people in the box; American football could actually profit from such a rule.

No penalty, and therefore no fine or suspension.
The league can take action even if there is no penalty called on the play. I don't know of the incident you are talking about though.
Remember that there has already been one hockey prosecution in recent years, stemming from an incident in Vancouver, as I recall.
Yes, when Marty McSorley hit Donald Brashear in the head. Originally the league gave a 23 game suspension, but extended it to one year in lieu of the charges. The Vancouver Police charged McSorley for assault with a weapon, and he received 18 months probation.

I imagine Bertuzzi's suspension will also be dependent on what the VPD does.

Idle...
There is a larger more prevelant context being ignored - accountability and responsibility to society, not just hockey..


I completely agree with you. Hockey players and all sports figures should be held to an even higher standard than the average joe. I keep thinking of 8-12 year old boys who look up to these guys. What message are they getting when everyone acceptes the role of "enforces" in hockey? I always believed that sports (any sport) develops and teaches discipline to kids -- a valuable tool they must use in life. It is very dangerous when an individual, team, or league itself goes out of control.
I've been a hockey fan all my life an I don't understand why there has to be fighting in hockey. I'm not too optimitic about hockey being cleaned up though. It's already becoming less popular in the US market, and I'm afraid one of the greatest appeals for Americans is the dirty fighting.

Not to me. I might like the game a bit more if there wasn't as much fighting. I can tolerate a bit of bumping, shoving, but things like this are being toleration. Athletes, as dsdsds said, are role models for many kids. And having kids look up to violent people like this is not something I'd like to do. We can only hope that there will be a crackdown on the amount of tolerated violence sometime soon, eh?

I admit the violence isnt great for the youth, but its part of the sport and a good part, obviously older people value the skill level more though, i think its fine as it is, after all its no worse than american football or soccer, they can all get a bit violent at times, its called men being men and trying to prove they are top man.

Football & soccer are not violent. Boxing isn't violent either (unless one guy bites another guy's ear off). We're talking about following the written rules of the game. And the rules of any sport are based on fair play and emphasize personal or team skill.

I shall clarify what i said as i dont think it came across right. The violence in hockey(and to an extent american football) is fine if its in the rules and people watching understand that, thing is theres violence in soccer(outside of the rules), when theres often a player that decides an elbow in somebodys face is a good idea, or breaking someones leg on purpose, i dont see this as any worse than bertuzzi's hit, they are all uncalled for in the context of the game and its rules. I meant to point out that these all get equal press coverage whether inside the rules of the game or not, i feel soccer is quite violent considering the amount of times players do something outside the rules.

But dont get me wrong, i wouldnt have it any other way :D