A Canadian Hero

Today in Vancouver, a judge sentanced Todd Bertuzzi to a year's probabtion and 80 hours of community service, for the fiasco over his so-called sucker-punch on Colorado's Steve Moore. True, Moore had two broken vertibraes, and a concussion, but seriously, criminal charges? I had hoped to see Bertuzzi tough it through a court case, that should have ended in a not-guilty at least, if not a dismisal, but he settled for a plea bargain. I suppose he just wanted to be done with it all, and I can't say I blame him. Since the punch last March, there has been *way* too much media attention given to the case. The reality is, Hockey is a rough sport, and people get injured. I can almost hear all the bleeding hearts out there pointing out the Bertuzzi sucker-punched Moore, that he is a bully with a track-record of violence (btw Bertuzzi scored 46 goals in the 01-02 season, not too many "bullys" uot there with 40+ seasons), and that nothing short of criminal charges were acceptable. Which is ridiculous. Really, can anyone honestly beleive that Bertuzzi's intention was long-term injury of Moore? If they do, do they really think Bertuzzi is dumb enough to try it with a *punch* from behind? Any hockey player knows catching someone with their head down is a far easier way to end a career. Conversley, hitting them near enough to the boards from behind always works too. Don't doubt that Bertuzzi had oppertunities to do both to Moore, but he didn't. No, he tried to get Moore to drop his gloves and have a go, but Moore wouldn't. As a last ditch effort to get Moore to be accountable for his cheap shot on Naslund, he grabs his jersey and gives him a shot to the back of his head (Moore's helmet was still on). And Moore drops to the ice like a pee-wee rookie. Needless to say, Bertuzzi trips on Moore as he falls, and crashes over him. Yes, having someone the size of Bertuzzi fall on you could easily break your neck and give you a concussion, in fact, Moore is fairly lucky that's all that he suffered. But to say taht Bertuzzi was trying for that is simply ignorant. If you watch the replay (it was shown regularly for about three weeks after the hit) you see a look on Bertuzzi's face as he trips over Moore, not of vengance, nor pleasure, but of surprise. To imply Bertuzzi was trying to end Moore's career is just sillyness. Should Bertuzzi be held accountable for his actions? Absolutely, he was suspended for the remainder of the season, and is still under suspension. A *very* heavy punishment. So why did the police get involved? I suppose that if someone I work with at Starbuck's did to me what Bertuzzi did to Moore, I'd like the police to charge them with Assult casuing bodily harm. However, If someone did to me what Moore did to Naslund, I would expect nothing less then the same. So why wasn't Moore charged? Why wasn't Domi charged for his elbow to Neidermeyer? Why isn't Brashear charged for any number of sucker-punches he's thrown? Let's take it even farther, why isn't Roy Jones Jr. charged for pummeling opponents in the boxing ring? Because all these people knowingly take part in occupations where getting the shit kicked out of you as a hazard of the job. So why did Moore get any different treatment? Because it was hyped beyond belief on TV, getting the public in such a frenzy, that charges were the only thing that could satisfy.

Todd, I doubt you'll ever read this, but I want to say you got screwed. You have more then suffered consequences for your actions, and I applaud your perserverance and heart. Keep playing the game you do.

And is anyone else getting sick of the lack of hockey? At least the world juniors are starting on Christams.