Scapegoat??? I hardly think so. I haven't seen anyone break anybody's neck because they decided to act stupid and get retribution for a finished check (although a nasty one, and suspension worthy, he lead with his elbow, I do agree to that, even tho Naslund should have kept his head up). Anyways, yeah, Bertuzzi didn't intend to break his neck, no hockey player would EVER intend to break somebody's neck. He did something stupid, and things went badly and now he is paying the price for it. I guarantee that Bertuzzi won't do something like this ever again. If they had specifically targeted Moore with especially hard checks, meh, I wouldn't care, that's part of hockey, make his time on the ice miserable, but what Bertuzzi did was uncalled for and now he's paying a price.

The 12 games is similar to the Johnson - Beukeboom incident, which it should be since they were practically the same. The playoffs I can agree with because while he didn't intend to break Moore's neck, a sucker punch to the head like that IS INTENDED TO INJURE, and the fact that all that bounty crap had happened and that a more serious injury DID OCCUR as a result of the sucker punch, means that the punishment should probably be a bit harsher than Beukeboom. But I see no reason for the fine on the Canucks, that was unreasonable.

I agree. If the NHL wanted to clamp down on this shit they would have done it already. They know players are out for other players, but they don't do anything about it because it's all about the hype.

He's a scapegoat, just like the next guy is going to be...get used to it.

I'm not on a high horse, nor have I ever claimed to be. I was telling you that you should pay more attention to how you type because I had to read your statements a few times to make sure I understood them right.

What I meant by illegal harm is that it wasn't a legal hit. He chased him down, punched him in the head, drove him into the ice head first, and kept trying to hit him. What do YOU think he was thinking? When I see someone go after someone like that, its pretty obvious what they are thinking.

As for no one caring, yeah right. I'm sure the players that would have to play against an unpunished Bertuzzi wouldn't care a bit, or their families, or the fans. Yep, it was people bitching that caused Bertuzzi's punishment, not the fact that he chased someone down, knocked him out from behind and drove his head into the ice. That had nothing to do with it. And he obviously intended to just give him a warning with a love tap. Because he couldn't have meant to hurt him, that would make no sense.

You're the one on the high horse buddy, not me.

A little earlier in this thread, people were criticizing Moore for not fighting Bertuzzi "straight up." Are you insane? The size difference between the two players is phenomenal. Get real.

Bertuzzi lost his cool because they were getting their asses reamed and he blew his top. Bad decision on his part. He should never play hockey again. It's no different than Tyson biting Holyfield's ear. Yes, fighting is allowed in hockey, (if BOTH players are game) but this was not fighting. And it was not LEGAL (as Moore's hit in the earlier game WAS). It was not a clean hit, it was away from the play, it was from BEHIND, and Moore is a midget compared to him. And Moore DID fight earlier in the game, it was a good fucking fight, he's no fucking wuss, as some of you Canuck fans keep saying.

Bertuzzi can cry all he wants, it's too late to be sorry now. Being sorry for something doesn't take away from what you did.

okay so Bertuzzi never "drove" his head into the ice, the reaction that you saw is that of an unconcious person, they can't put up their arms and hands to stop things, if Bertuzzi had "driven" his head into the ice things would of been a whole lot worse than a broken neck. have you ever hit your head on the ice in a rink? not a pleasant experience believe me.

the fact that people are bitching is why the suspension is so long, I never said it had nothing to do with Bertuzzi's actions maybe you should read things properly, of course he meant to hurt him, do you think players go into hit or fight someone and not intend to hurt him?

I really don't understand how I can be on a high horse when I really haven't said anything to indicate such, maybe it was your lack of a witty retort that made you end at that who knows.

Bottom line Bertuzzi was a scapegoat

Regardless of whether or not Bertuzzi is a scapegoat, the suspension is in line with precedent set by the league during previous incidents. I think it's fair.

My questions is this: If the Canucks manage to win the Cup (unlikely, but possible), does Bertuzzi get his name engraved on it? Does the league have rules for this?

The man dropped his stick, continued to persue him, punched him in the side of the head. Jumped on his back, drove his face into the ice (Maybe you need to watch the video a few more times, his left hand is sitting on the back of his head while he continued to throw punches) and continued to throw punches while the man was knocked out cold, with a broken neck.

Look, that is intention, and the argument of "if it didn't" happen is completely stupid, because it did happen. There is no way to change that.

He didn't collide, he was no accident. He did it on purpose, he may have not meant to break his neck, but the intent to hit, and hit Moore as hard as he could was there. It's all about intention, and he intended to do what he did. That's the bottom line.

He's gone, and thank god. Your scapegoat argument is bullshit. This was a violent, selfish, and completely stupid fucking act, and anyone who can't see that is as big an idiot as he is. Shit like this, hockey, lacrosse, pool, bowling, whatever the hell it is, has NO place in professional sports.

Good riddence, and save your "scapegoat" and "if" arguments for someone else, because it happend. You can't change that.

Couple of points to make.

One: No, Moore's neck wasn't broken - the media was blowing it out proportion. Two fractured vertebrae, and supposedly he'll be back in 6-8 weeks.

Two: I'm going to agree with Silent_Jay about how its been completely taken out of context. People who don't know aobut hockey were complaining, the media was completely biased - They portrayed Bertuzzi in the worst way possible, and the league was trying to get fans back by overdoing the sentence.

Bottom line, Bertuzzi was the victim of idiocy and Colin Campbell. A career ending sucker-punch, if that's what you want to call it, was given 12 games. This 6-8 week injury [Players get season-ending injuries and the perpetrators don't see a day of suspension] deserves at most just the regular season. The league is just trying to save its reputation. Bertuzzi's just an unfortunate recipient of bad luck.

Oh, and, Kurant:

http://www.divealanche.com/imagefiles/1_selective.jpg

P.S. Save Bertuzzi!

Edit: My bad. Accidental Quote hitting when I was trying to edit.

what a cruel heartless thing to say... i hope some day you can feel what its like to do something you regret with your whole body so much that it makes you sick...

if the snyder family can forgive dan... let's feel a little sorry for a dude who is so obviously sick with his actions.

go bertuzzi, you got my support 100%

I agree with everything said here except the third point..... Moore didn't want to fight and tried to skate away... Bertuzzi gave him a cheap shot and thats how I see it

FINALLY someone I agree 100% with

ya know, i'm reminded of the time Ulfie took out Neely, playoffs 90/91 against the Pens, no he didn't break his neck, but, he did take Cam out of the game for a long, long time...
suspension - no... fine - no
not even a penalty...

fast forward to Cam's return, happened to be against the Pens...

the ref is circling the rink during the pre-game skate telling both Cam and Ulfie he's gonna be there...
1 minute into the game, Cam has Ulfie's shirt over his head and pounding him into tomorrow...
when all was said and done Neely is out of the game and Ulfie is in the box for 5...

the ref's reason for Cam's ejection was "intent to injure"...

no suspension & no fine

i was at both games...

now i'm at a crossroads... i watched the replay of "the hit" over and over last night from 3 different angles and what i saw was...
1) Bert was needling Moore and Moore wanted no part of him
2) Bert did indeed blindside him
3) Bert had his fore arm behind Moore's neck as they fell and the landing face first pushed Moore's head back over Bert's arm, what i feel caused the fracture
4) no one knew he was out, let alone with a life threatening injury, when they piled on

the league now is faced with taking a stand and making Bert the fall guy seems appropriate to the front office

suspended for the rest of the year, harsh, but the message is sent...
re-application to play, i find is not needed in this case, in the McSorley incident it was appropriate - he used a stick

as for the fine against the Canucks, i don't know, unless it can be proven he was sent out to take Moore out - then that would be "intent to injure" on the benches part...

it just reminds me of 90/91, justice is cheap...

and easy when you have nothing to lose but a player's career...

or life

Shadowz, thanks for bringing this up. I've read all of the posts and waited for someone to bring up this hit. Now, I may not agree with the caption, but this was a bad hit and injured Draper. You Avs fans seem to forget this.

However I do agree with the suspension and that he should miss the playoffs, however I think it's rediculous that the police are getting involved. Just plain stupid and anyone who thinks they should, damn watch some more sports and then rethink your comments.

i thnk that he should have maned up and left the game for good. just saying how sorry he is does not cut it.

Leave the game for good as in loose his entire career for this act that has so blown-out of proportion it isn't funny. Brian Burke said it best when he said that because Bertuzzzi isn't the most media friendly player in he league when this happened they all too it as an opportunity to jump on him. Was this any worse than the Gary Suter cross-check on Kariya a few years ago? I think not and Suter continued to play and didn't get this many games.

You all got it wrong:

Bert was just trying to point out to him that his chin strap was loose.

P.S. Go Canucks Go!!!:cool:

P.S.S And what is the difference between Bert's cheap shot and checking someone from behind into the boards and only getting 2 minutes?

You know, there's one thing about this whole thing that pisses me off.

What Todd Bertuzzi did was a stupid mistake, perpetrated in the heat of the moment in a sport that thrives on intensity. Nothing more. The League addressed the issue, and handed out a punishment that fit the crime. That doesn't piss me off.

What does piss me off is, even with all of that, it still does little to prevent all these people from suddenly growing a conscience, jumping on their moral high horse, and pulling their sanctimonious bandwagon. Both fans and the media alike.

I mean, I don't recall seeing either the sheer amount of news articles, nor the mountain of letters to the editor, nor the on-air shrieks to/from radio stations calling for the end to the violence after that 419 penalty minute game in Philly.

So, am I to understand that people love violence, just as long as it's not too much violence? That cheap elbow to the head that results in a concusion is okay, but that cheap punch from behind that results in a fractured neck is wrong?

I'm not saying what Bertuzzi did was okay, but for heaven's sake. Don't suddenly pretend that the violence affects you just because a lot of people are angry.

Criminal charges is probably the least thing that should happen to this a-hole. The league should kick him out as in PERMANENT Pete Rose style ban and if he's allowed to earn one cent playing hockey at any point in the future it should all go do the guy he attacked.

All this and he's "sorry...and never meant to do harm"...bull shit. Pissed off that this guy is still walking the streets and not in prison. OUT.

ya know the puritanical approach is to say those that don't understand the game see the violence in the media and believe it's everyday... when it's not... those that don't understand the game are gonna bitch anyway... and again we have the media push the buttons for the casual viewer saying it's a criminal act...
come on... we all know Hillary had Vince offed...

kjroh
So you have no idea what you're talking about is the point of your post at least that is what I interpreted. Maybe you people should wait before you crucify Bertuzzi for practically killing this kid and see how long he is actually out for, you are all going to look stupid when thew kid is back in the playoffs. Prison holy American overreaction Batman, I agree that the people who hit from behind are way worse than anything that happened and all they get is 2 min. Why should Bertuzzi be put in prison and never allowed to play in the league again? Because he punched some kid in the head and he fell and fractured 2 vertabre, please you start throwing hockey players in jail for this where does it all end are they going to be playing paper, rock, scissors to settle disputes next? Get a clue about things, please prison Jesus head in ass syndrome oh no he's walking the streets, so are rapists and murderers, is Bertuzzi on the same level as these criminals? I think not.

easy cowboy - think this is a tough one - as phil just said - wait till november...

They better not keep him out next year as well that would be the worst possible call they could make.

Coming into this debate a little late but I'll say my piece anyway.

Let's start with Moore's hit on Naslund. It was not a clean hit. It wasn't a long term suspension type hit but he leaned into (with elbow) a player that was going for the puck but not yet touching it. Moore made NO attempt what-so-ever to get the puck, instead blindsiding Naslund. I don't know about a suspension but at least a penalty for interference was warranted.

Second, Bertuzzi's hit was bad, very bad. I (a Canucks fan) lost a lot of respect for Bertuzzi when it happened. He does deserve a suspension for the hit and a reasonably long one. The suspension he received I will accept, but the fact that he has to re-apply to play is not acceptable. The league stated that his returning to play is dependent on the progress of Moore. Does this mean that if Moore comes back in the 4-6 weeks (ok..6-8 weeks) as expected of a simple broken bone that Bertuzzi can come back and play? What I'm saying is that it is not acceptable for the league to hand out suspensions dependent on the ongoing severity of an injury. If they did that, then any slash that breaks a bone in the hand (regardless of whether it is a penalty) should have the person suspended for 6-8 weeks. Any blindside hit which causes a concussion, should have the perpetrator out for as long as the concussed person is out. Etc.

As for the fine on the Canucks. I am suprised that the Avs were not also fined that for the events that took place that night. There was obviously two sides to the confrontation (we won't talk about the horrible hyping of these events by the media). Granato could have kept Moore off the ice, Crawford could have kept Bertuzzi of the ice. But more to the point, both coaches could have attempted to calm their teams down. A larger fine to the Canucks but the Avs should have received one as well.

And finally, to address one point that was brought up about Moore not facing Bertuzzi face-on because Bertuzzi is bigger. That is a ridiculous argument as many mismatched fights occured that night. (May vs the much larger Worrell twice, Moore vs the much smaller Cooke). Moore was probably the smarter one to have tried to skate away but then if he had stopped and stood up for himself, this likely wouldn't have happened.

Anyway, Bertuzzi's out for the season, Moore should (hopefully) make a full recovery and the meeting of these teams next season should be interesting (provided there is a season).

Excellent post Cubby, I agree with everything you said except one, Crawford could not have known that Bertuzzi was going to do this so how could he have known to keep him off the ice? Pronger had challenged Moore right before this and Moore pussed out there too, had things gone differently it could have been Pronger that knocked him out. Was Crawford expected to keep all his players on the bench to ensure this didn't happen? I just really don't understand the logic for giving the Canucks a fine.

I think the fine was just because Crawford should have told his players to take it easy and calm down. But I think the Avs should have had a fine too.

As for keeping people off the ice, you could say that all the right people were on the ice. Moore is not a star on the team and when you are up by that much you don't want your stars hurt so you play them less. The same could be said for a team losing by that much in terms of keeping their better players off but you could also see them wanting to make the game a little more respectable. I agree that Crawford didn't send Bertuzzi out to do that and didn't know something like that was going to happen.

I wonder though, what if Sean Pronger had done the same thing. I think he wouldn't have been such big news. Yes it would have made the news but I don't think it would have been nearly as big and the suspension likely wouldn't have been as bad. Don't know for sure but that's what I think...(Campbell's had it out for Bertuzzi for a while..)

While I agree that it would not have been such big news, I think that had Pronger done it it would have ended his career. The league would have made more of an example out of him than Bertuzzi, because if Bertuzzi goes they are losing an all-star quality player, while if Pronger goes they are losing just another hardworking relatively no-name player.

Speaking of fines, I always read that the money from fines get put into the Players Emergency Fund, or something to that effect. So... what is that?

It's a part of the collective bargaining agreement, you can check out the actual section here

Scroll down to 23.4

The relevant part is

It's a fund to provide for permanently injured players and their families pretty well.

This is correct, the punch knocked him forward, and Bertuzzi basically jumped on his back and followed him down for the ride, with Moore's heading hitting the ice first.

I'm glad that they suspended him for the rest of the season/playoffs, but I think that the police investigation is a little uncalled for. How exactly does one go about investigating a hockey fight?

Bertuzzi never jumped on anyone's back, Bertuzzi punched him, Moore fell forward, with nothing there to stop him and a stick to slip on Bertuzzi fell along with Moore, he never drove his head into the ice, if he had Moore would have had more injuries more along the lines of the Draper injuries of a few years ago.

If Pronger had done this the suspension would not of been as severe, because the media would not of jumped on the story with the same gusto, it's just not the same story when you replace all-star with 4th liner

He didn't drive his head into the ice, but he did drive him into the ice. He was on top of him the entire way down. He was half bent over before he started falling, there is no way he would have broken vertebre if he didnt have someone on top of him. He fell on top of him, and went to keep hitting him. Draper got checked into the boards anyway, he didnt get punched, so its not comparable.

As for Pronger doing it, you don't know what would have happened, so don't pretend like you do. Who's the psychic now?

i see all the lions made an appearance.........


*stays away*

Alright Nimbletoe someone asked what people thought would of happened had Pronger done it so that is my opinion not a psychic prediction a you called it, try reading the posts before you criticize or whatevr it is you were doing it really sucked whatever it was to see if someone asked a question, second I never compared the Drapoer hit to the Moore incident, I said "if" Bertuzzi had driven his head into the ice they would of had similar injuries
can you see it now or is it still not clear enough for you? shall I draw you a picture? or would you like me to quote the post wher this question was brought up? see no claim to being psychic the question was asked and I gave my opinion.
so is this a medical opinion or do you have all the inside information? Maybe it was the fact that at least 4 people fell on him, but of course it must of been that damn Bertuzzi after all he was the first one on him.

I still hate these bogus theories. What is your opinion after the "fall"? Whas Bertuzzi trying to punch Moore again when they hit the ice or whas he just trying to stretch his arm/ brace himself/whatever else? We will never know, unless Bertuzzi fesses up, since the act that was stopped by Nikolishin jumping on board. An act, in what might be my bogus theory, that might have saved Moore's life, it might have added to the injury, but still saved his life. If Bertuzzi was going to hit Moore again before he was stopped and his neck broke with either the punch or the fall, then Nikolishin could have saved Moore. (might be my off the wall theory, might be true, hard to ever prove or disprove)

we all have theories - but this thread is about the punishment - so in trying to keep it on topic - should the law step in and prosecute???
in mcsorley's case he was given 18 months probation - he walked out with no record on his sheet...
what is this? in my opinion, it's the prosecution puffing up it's chest and saying assault is punishable anywhere we decide...
tony stewart has fights in the pits & garages - assault?
clemens beaning piazza - assault?
kermit washington on tomjanovich - assault?

Go_AVS

So you hate my bogus theory, yet your's is fine, I don't follow at all.
anyways, Bertuzzi IN MY OPINION was going to punch Moore when they were on the ice but how was he to know he had a fractured neck, or that he was unconcious? I have no idea what you are trying to prove or disprove with your theory other than the fact that Nicolishn may or maynot have saved Moore's life, which in my opinion is bullshit, his life isn't in danger nor was it ever the press blew it out of proportion which is why there are people like you who think he should be crucified.

Exactly Hanxter the prosecuters need to do things like this to try and show that they are actually making a difference, in my opinion they should be focusing on the murders and the rapists and child abusers, but they aren't as high profile as Bertuzzi, people complained about this after the game which is what started the investigation apparantley. They should stay out of it

as far back as 1969, Canadian prosecutors waded in, charging Wayne Maki and Ted Green after one of the most violent stick-swinging duels in NHL history...
Green required multiple life-saving surgeries and had a metal plate inserted in his skull during a preseason game in Ottawa...
He was suspended 12 games while Maki was given a 30-day suspension...
assault charges against Green were dropped and Maki was acquitted...

in 1976, four members of the Flyers were charged after a playoff brawl with the Leafs spilled into the stands at Maple Leaf Gardens...
Mel Bridgeman (assault causing bodily harm) and Don Saleski (possession of a dangerous weapon, his stick) both had charges stayed, while Joe Watson and Bob Kelly both pleaded guilty to assault and were fined $750...

my point is, the prosecution should either stay out completely or get in every day...

they can't have both ways and WHEN they want want to

I agree either prosecute all or none, my wish is they would prosecute none but if they decide to at least it will be fair. What was Suters suspension for cross-checking Kariya a few years back? I can't recall at the moment, but that was a worse act in my opinion than this and anything I have seen in a long time. Except for the Lemiux hit on Draper that was terrible.

4 games - no fine...
here's the top ten compiled by CBC Sports...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hoc...kariya_all.jpg

game 7, april 8 '52 - the classic in sportsmanship...
http://www.angelfire.com/celeb/Rocket/img/rocket31.jpg

10 years in prison

Put yourself in Bertuzzi's shoes for a second.

The Avalanche player Moore previously had a nasty hit on your arguably best player, Naslund.
You want to enact some revenge, so you try to taunt him into a fight during the game. No success as Moore pussies out each time. You are in the middle of a hockey game with your adrenaline flowing and you are getting mad at Moore. You see him skating and you think to yourself "I dont want this guy pussying out again" and then you grab his jersey and deck him in the head with a punch. Good hit for the coward who didn't want to fight before. Unfortunately, he was not expecting Moore to fall the way he did which caused damage to his neck.

I will state this again: 5 game suspension should have been handed out. No more, no less.

On March 17, 1955, thousands of crazed hockey fans in the Montreal Forum went on a seven-hour rampage of destruction and looting that ended in many injuries and the arrest of 100 fans. In later years, the free-for-all euphemistically became known as "The Richard Riot." The other team on the ice happened to be the Detroit Red Wings.

The fans whipped up a fury of anger against one of the spectators at the game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Detroit Red Wings -- National Hockey League president Clarence Campbell. The crowds demonstrated their displeasure over his decision to suspend Maurice "Rocket" Richard, l'enfant terrible of the Montreal Canadiens.

Richard, one of the most prolific scorers in hockey, had a reputation as the most hot-tempered player on the Flying Frenchmen team. Always a high scorer, the Rocket was a shoe-in to win the scoring title of the NHL that year.

During an earlier game in Boston on March 13, Hal Laycoe high-sticked Richard, giving him a nasty scalp cut which later required eight stitches to close. The Rocket exploded in rage, swinging his stick like a baseball bat, smashing it over Laycoe's head and shoulders. He yanked another stick from a player and slashed at Laycoe until the stick splintered. Then he turned on Cliff Thompson, one of the officials, and let lose with a right to the face. Player fights are a part of hockey culture, but no one slugs an official and gets away with it, not even a demi-god like Richard. He was tossed out of the game.

Later he would explain his actions to his fans and the officials. "I don't remember what happened. When I'm hit I get mad and I don't know what I do."

The explanation wasn't good enough. On March 16, NHL President Campbell, after a three-hour hearing, suspended Richard from playing any remaining games in the regular season and banned him from participating in any playoff games.

Montrealers were livid; how dare Campbell remove Richard for the rest of the season? He was a national hero and should be afforded some leeway. Death threats bombarded Campbell's office. Warned one fan, "I'm an undertaker and you'll be needing me in a few days." Campbell refused to be intimidated and stuck to his decision.

On March 17, the day after his decision, the Canadiens were scheduled to play the Detroit Red Wings at the Forum in Montreal. The Wings were a point behind Montreal in the standings, which didn't help the mood of the home crowd. By game time, the Forum was surrounded by a hostile group of 800 demonstrators, many carrying signs that read "Vive Richard."

Extra police were called to duty. Despite pleas that he stay away, Clarence Campbell went to the Forum. He slipped quietly into his seat, but nearby fans spotted him. Pelted with peanuts, eggs and programs, Campbell remained calm, but at the end of the first period, with Detroit ahead 4-1, the spectators renewed the barrage. This time overshoes, bottles and tomatoes joined the missiles. Ushers and police tried to keep the fans away, but one broke through the guards and slapped Campbell across the face. As Campbell fell back from the blow, the fan punched him. Instantly the demonstration became a full blown riot. The booing became a roar; debris showered down on the ice.

Someone in the crowd threw a smoke bomb, sending spectators coughing and choking to the exits as the Forum organist struck up the tune "My Heart Cries for You..."

His shoulder splattered by eggs, National Hockey League President Clarence Campbell leaves the battle-torn Forum after forfeiting the game to Detroit.

Luckily none of the fleeing fans was crushed in the rush to escape. Richard himself sat only a short distance from where the smoke bomb fell. Campbell forfeited the game to the Red Wings.

Outside, the enraged fans joined with ticketless Montrealers who couldn't get in to the sold-out game. The surly crowds took to the streets, damaging the fashionable stores on St. Catherine Street, overturning cars and setting fires. Radio station CKVL provided moment-to-moment descriptions of the demonstration, which inspired other Canadians to venture downtown to the Forum. By 11 p.m. more than 10,000 Montrealers and 200 police were involved in the chaos. Maurice Richard went on the radio and pleaded with his fans to calm down and go home.

"I would like to ask everyone to get behind the team and help the boys... I will take my punishment and come back next year to help the club and the young players win the Cup."

The riot petered out by 3 a.m. The headlines in The Detroit News the next day read "100 Arrested During Riot, Game Forfeited to Detroiters."

There still remained the Stanley Cup, but without the Rocket, Montreal's chances were slim. Both clubs hardly paid attention to their respective rivals in the playoffs -- Wings vs. Toronto, Canadiens vs. Boston.

Detroit dumped the Leafs, and the Canadiens won the playoffs in game five. Both clubs anxiously awaited the Finals. Detroit took games one and two, with Ted Lindsay scoring four goals in game two.

The Canadiens bounced back by taking games three and four. Gordie Howe slammed in a hat trick in game five, and the Wings made off with a 5-1 win. Montreal took game six, 6-3.

But ultimately, the Rocketless Canadiens could not hold off the Red Wings. The Wings won the 1955 Stanley Cup in the final game of the series at Detroit's Olympia Stadium with a capacity crowd cheering them on. Howe scored his ninth goal and 20th point of the series; Alex Delvecchio delivered two goals and goalie Terry Sawchuk stifled the Canadiens. The Wings won 3-1. Boom Boom Geoffrion of the Canadiens won the scoring championship that Richard had wanted so badly.

The Rocket promised his beloved city that he would come back strong, and he did, returning to lead the Canadiens to first place and the Stanley Cup the following year. But he never won the national scoring championship.

For the Red Wings that was to be their last Stanley Cup for a long while. As Howe held the Cup aloft that April evening in 1955, he could not know that would be the last time in his incredible career that Detroit would sip champagne from the silver bowl.

linkage

i went to the closing of the Garden and Richard was there - to his death, he never forgave Boston

Re: Bertuzzi punishment ???? (NHL)
 

How long have you been watching hockey?


Nothing new here. 5-10 games should have been it. He's definatly the scapegoat...oh well.:(

This is pathetic. He's a coward for not fighting? So he deserves to be hit? Check your head, man. Moore obviously seems more mature than the Bertuzzi fellow.

Thanks for your reply. I'd convict him of assault in a heartbeat. Case closed. You're a hockey fan and most likely a fan of this guy. I'm neither so you are right. I don't understand the mentality of those who would defend a gutless act of cowardice perpetrated by a thug who calls himself a hockey player.

maybe this thread should get locked, since it was started as a discussion about what his punishment should be... we've found it out, much to people's mutual like/dislike

now its turned into people arguing and flaming eachother

there's nothing we can do to change the punishment, like it or hate it, so why bother arguing?

Anybody who's saying he should have received less than the rest of the season obviously didn't read about the Johnson - Beukeboom thing, THE INCIDENTS WERE EXACTLY THE SAME except for the extent of the injuries to the vicitims. Therefore there is NO POSSIBLE WAY to argue that Bertuzzi should have received less than 12 games, as that was what the league set as the punishment for something like this happening. The extra punishment in Bertuzzi's case was for the "bounty" comments the Canucks had been making, which made the whole thing seem premeditated.

And Jeff, Moore fought Cooke earlier in the game, so we can rule out maturity as a reason he didn't fight. When faced with people that could kick his ass, rather than a smaller player, he pussed out, that's total cowardice. Cooke fought a larger player than himself, May fought Peter friggin Worrell, Moore was just a pussy and suffered for it.

I don't have time right now to read through all 150-ish posts, but my two cents:
I really can't imagine that Bertuzzi intended to break Moore's neck. Wanted to kick his ass, yes. But not break his goddamn neck.
So from that standpoint, it looks to me like an accident. A stupid one, to be sure, but there was no intent to hostpitalize the guy.
Oh, and how many Av's piled on top of the two of them? Wonder how that played into the neck injury.
I am a fan of neither team, btw. Go Hartford! Heh.

I love hockey but am by no means a huge Bertuzzi fan, I recognize that he is a great hockey player, and that he will be great for years to come. I hardly think this incident takes away Bertuzzi's title as a hockey player, and I certainly wouldn't call him a thug, because of this over-blown incident. Those bounty comments that bigbad is talking about were made by May and that is reflected in the $250,000 fine laid on the Canucks, not in the length of Bertuzzi's suspension.
If this was the case then this whole forum should be locked because anything discussed here is not going to be changed wether it a persons view on politics or the war in Iraq. I notice Hanxter has been in on the discussion and I am sure he is keeping an eye as are the other mods on the comments made by all parties involved.

i think you took what i said out of context... i was referring to the bashing of eachother over different views... its unneccesary especially since everyone has their own opinion about the situation

Yes I did take things out of context my appologies, once I re-read them I realized the error of my ways.

Is this the hockey fan mentality? He deserves to get hit because he didn't fight a certain guy? This is ridiculous, it makes hockey seem like such a stupid, barbaric sport.

I must agree this is a harsh statement to make, while I do believe Moore should have fought Bertuzzi, he was obviously game for the smaller Cooke, I wouldn't call him a pussy he was acting like any other rookie who doesn't fight, jeez why do I want to fight this big fucker, was probably what he was thinking. He should of never turned his back that was a mistake, especially when you know a player is pissed. The only lesson that Moore should learn out of this whole experiece is not to cheap shot a teams captain it's bad for your health, and he learned this lesson the hard way. I still say Bertuzzi was a scapegoat. Yes I read and saw the Johnson incident and I still say Bertuzzi should not of recieved this penalty the ice (Bertuzzi never drove his head) was the factor that caused the majority of the injuries, sure someones going to say I think I'm psychic but let a friend punch you in the head with a glove on and your neck will still be fine, now fall to the ice with 4 other people on you after you are already unconcious, that is where the injuries came from.

No, Moore got hit because Bertuzzi made a really stupid decision. That's why Bertuzzi deserved to be punished. But Moore contributed to Bertuzzi making that really stupid decision by pussing out. And if you really want to get down to it, Moore's hit on Naslund made hockey seem like a stupid barbaric sport as well, back in the good old days you wouldn't see anyone pulling that shit on Gretzky would you? Younger players don't have respect anymore, and THAT'S what is making the game seem stupid and barbaric.

we're getting no where, guys...
sorry to say, i asked we keep it civil...
it's lock down time