NHL Thread: String Bertuzzi Up

[Guynemer]

And to you folks who want to keep fighting in the game:

I would like to cordially invite you to a University of Michigan Wolverines vs. Michigan State University Spartans hockey game. (This is the rivalry that produced the "Cold War", the outdoor game attended by 76,000+ fans a couple years ago.) These teams do not like each other at all, not by even the loosest possible definition of the word. They despise each other. We fans despise each other. It is as intense an experience as I've ever had outside of the hospital.

There are no fights. There are no suckerpunches from behind. There is no spearing. There is no intentionally swinging a stick at another player's head. And it is tremendous, incredible, beautiful hockey.

Hockey does not need fighting. Give it a try. There is no sport on this planet that can compare.

[Tingkai]

Living in Hong Kong, I have to watch ESPN coverage of hockey games. One thing I've noticed is that the ESPN commentators really play up the fighting. If a fight starts, they're going "Hey fight, fantastic, now the game is interesting, oh look at that hit, blah, blah, blah."

That's completely different from Canadian hockey coverage, which, IIRC, rarely shows the actual fighting.

That partially explains the different Canadian-American perspectives about hockey fights.

[Adam Smith]

Trade Deadline News

In yet another cost cutting move, Washington traded Zamboni to New Jersey for two shovels and a garden hose to be named later.

[Ben Kenobi]

Hockey does not need fighting. Give it a try. There is no sport on this planet that can compare.

I agree, but I do not think that removing fighting will do any good to the game. They may not NEED to fight to play a game, but fighting is still a part of hockey.

[Tingkai]

But, for Canadian hockey fans, fighting is part of the game. To take it away would be like telling soccer players they can't hit the ball with their heads.

Fighting is part of the intensity, the pure desire to win the Cup. I listen to American football or basketball players talking about giving 100% and they're talking crap compared to what a hockey player does in the race for the Cup.

Anyways, how do you ban fighting. The players are going to fight no matter what. If the NHL suspended players for getting into a fight, that just means the players will be taking more and more cheap shots at star players, knowing that they can get away with it, or at worst, they'll get penalty while taking out a star player.

[pchang]

Well, at least one hockey commentator thinks Bertuzzi should be suspended for a full year.

[cinch]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi


Yeah, tar the whole team for the actions of one player.

Now THAT'S fair.



Why don't you just admit that you don't like the Canucks and leave it at that, eh?

Hey, I actually DO like the Canucks, which makes this so difficult for me!

My hierarchy of teams I cheer for (mostly in the playoffs) is:
1. Edmonton
2. Ottawa
3. Vancouver

(FYI, the reverse hierarchy is:
1. Toronto
2. Dallas
3. Calgary)

I just think that, unless Crawford, Burke, & Co. make a serious statement showing that they do not endorse this kinda of thuggery, Bert's disgraceful behaviour reflects on the whole team.

PS: Moore's hit on Naslund was borderline, but definitely more clean than dirty. And it's difficult for me to say that, because I think Naslund is one of the classiest guys in the league. But the 'Nucks way overreacted in that situation.

[cinch]

Originally posted by Asher

If the international game is much better, go watch that instead of the NHL.

Yes, I'm sure there're a bunch of League Suisse games on at the moment... Go HC Davos!

[cinch]

Originally posted by joncha


The edmonton play-by-play guy also sucked... he couldn't even remember half the oiler's names. Sounded like a good game, though.

I hope you're not talking about Rod Phillips (a.k.a. The Jesus Christ of Broadcasting), because if you are...

All Hail Rod! The King of All Announcers!

[cinch]

Originally posted by Asher
1-1 final. Refs sucked, Ryan Smyth hooked a defenseman and knocked the stick out of Kipprusof's hand, and didn't get called both times.

Yeah, he'll do that.

___________

Eh, I guess I'll take the tie. At least we're not losing our way out of this. Now, we just have to show up the Avs tomorrow (they might be starting Salo! ), and we'll be on a roll!

A hex upon L.A.! A pox upon St. Louis!

[Ben Kenobi]

I think Naslund is one of the classiest guys in the league. But the 'Nucks way overreacted in that situation.

He is a classy guy. Which is why Vancouver rallied behind their captain, and why they sympathise with Bert.

Crawford may be many things, but to his team, he stands with them, regardless of the consequences. He is fiercely loyal and protective.

[lightblue]

I saw that punch just now and to be honest, if he wasn't out to injure Moore he went about it the wrong way.

It just seems slightly cowardly to skate up behind someone, grab him and smack him in the back of the neck, followed by driving your full weight into him as he crashes into the ice. Admittedly I never played or really followed ice hockey, so I am not sure how common punches from behind are, but it doesn't really fit with sportsmanship or even just plain honor.

I suppose in basketball the equivalent would be what we called torpedoing or submarining, i.e. when someone is about to go for a breakaway layup/dunk you run his legs out from underneath him whilst he's in the air. Seen people fracture vertebrae as a result of that... and people get suspended for a year as well.

[Richelieu]

Originally posted by Guynemer
Hockey does not need fighting. Give it a try. There is no sport on this planet that can compare.

[The Mad Viking]

When I said 12 games:

(a) I had only seen part of the video of the hit (the punch) once.

(b) Did not know the severity of Moore's injuries (less important, actually)

As what happened had nothing to do with the sport of hockey and was not involved in the play of the game at all, I would suggest Bertuzzi may play in the NHL again when (and if) Moore does.

And if that is never, so be it.

There is no place in the game, or in the world, for what Bertuzzi did. The sucker punch was not the worst of it, being bulldogged face first into the ice was. It was worse than the McSorley incident.

I really see no reason why criminal charges should not be laid, nor why jail time should not be considered.

[pchang]

I think at least one player got sentenced to jail time of 1 day for an on ice incidence. I think McSorley was convicted of something. Does anyone know for sure?