NHL: Bertuzzi out!

[Desdichado]

I haven't been following, so I just saw this story today, but have you seen this? Bertuzzi suspended for the rest of the season (including post season) at least, maybe from the league completely, and possible criminal charges. Yikes!

 

[Crothian]

It was a nasty attack he did. Perfectly deserved, and it's good to see the NHL give out a stiff penalty.

 

[Desdichado]

Sounds nasty. The guy was unconscious for 10 minutes on the ice in a pool of his own blood with a concussion and fractured neck vertebrae. And although Bertuzzi likely didn't really mean to hurt him badly, he certainly did mean to attack him; this was not at all accidental.

 

[Greatwyrm]

I know fights are just a part of hockey, but this was too much. Most hockey fights start with a stare down, so at least you know it's coming. This guy was completely off-guard. If the guy had gotten a concussion and fractured neck from an unbelievably well placed body check, that would be one thing. This was a cheap shot from behind, something else entirely. Bertuzzi deserves to end up in front of a judge.

 

[Welverin]

It's a case where not having the instigator rule might have avoided the entire problem.

Of course if Moore hadn't been hurt I doubt much, if anything, would have been done about, which just leads to more things like this happening.

 

[Ranger REG]

It was a nasty attack he did. Perfectly deserved, and it's good to see the NHL give out a stiff penalty.

IMHO, the penalty is not that stiff. He should get a two-year suspension, if not ban out of NHL permanently.

 

[Welverin]

IMHO, the penalty is not that stiff. He should get a two-year suspension, if not ban out of NHL permanently.

You and Wilbon are in agreement, though I have yet to hear anyone else suggest something as severe.

Keep in mind though that he has to apply for reinstatement and thus Bettman could decide to extend the suspension next season.

Anyone believe people in the Canucks organization should have been suspended (coach, gm)?

 

[Desdichado]

Bertuzzi deserves to end up in front of a judge.

That one's tricky, because it potentially starts us on a slippery slope. Everytime there's a fight on the ice, the paddy wagon could roll around and take the involved players downtown.

 

[Barendd Nobeard]

That one's tricky, because it potentially starts us on a slippery slope. Everytime there's a fight on the ice, the paddy wagon could roll around and take the involved players downtown.

No it doesn't.

He broke the man's neck. When the victim is hit from behind, bleeds all over the ice, and is out for the season, it's time to get the perp in front of a judge.

I love this quotation from the "apology":

Steve....I had no intention of hurting you.

Really? So, that was an early St. Patrick's Day present? Late Valentine's Day gift?

It didn't even happen during a fight! I see Bertuzzi when to the Latrell Sprewell school of charm and manners.

 

[Desdichado]

No it doesn't.

He broke the man's neck. When the victim is hit from behind, bleeds all over the ice, and is out for the season, it's time to get the perp in front of a judge.

I think potentially it does. Not that that's necessarily a good reason to not bring him up on charges, but it might have far-reaching implications on the sport.

It didn't even happen during a fight! I see Bertuzzi when to the Latrell Sprewell school of charm and manners.

I was actually surprised by this from him; it didn't seem to be his style. Not that I follow the Canucks religiously, but it was surprising nonetheless.

Clearly it wasn't "accidental"; he did mean to hurt him, but nothing like what happened. Kinda like the difference between murder and involuntary manslaughter; either way the victim is the victim, but it makes a difference to the perpetrator. I dunno; I'm undecided on the issue, but somewhat surprised and saddened as well for what it might mean for hockey.