Avs' Moore has fractured neck; police investigating Bertuzzi(NHL-blind hit from behind)

CBS sportsline.com ^ | 3/9/04 | CBS sportsline.com

[Diddle E. Squat]

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Colorado Avalanche forward Steve Moore will miss the rest of the season with a fractured neck after a hit by Vancouver Canucks forward Todd Bertuzzi, prompting a police investigation.

Moore also sustained a concussion and deep facial cuts, the Avalanche said Tuesday. He will remain hospitalized in Vancouver indefinitely, Colorado trainer Pat Karns said.

Bertuzzi has been suspended indefinitely pending a hearing at the NHL office in Toronto on Wednesday.

Moore was slugged in the side of the head by Bertuzzi late in Monday night's game, a 9-2 Colorado victory. Bertuzzi struck him from behind and drove his head into the ice. Moore landed face-first -- with Bertuzzi on top of him -- and lay in a pool of blood for several minutes before he was removed from the ice on a stretcher.

B.C. Solicitor General Rich Coleman and Vancouver police said Tuesday an investigation has begun.

This will be the second time in recent years Vancouver police have become involved in an on-ice hit at an NHL game. Former NHL tough guy Marty McSorley was charged for hitting then-Vancouver Canuck Donald Brashear with his stick in February 2000.

The Avalanche said that when Moore's condition improves, he will be transferred to Craig Hospital in Denver and evaluated by neurosurgeons.

"Steve knows he has the support of the entire Avalanche family and hockey fans throughout the world, and we hope that he recovers as soon as possible," Avalanche president and general manager Pierre Lacroix said.

While playing for the Boston Bruins, McSorley drew a one-year suspension for using his stick to hit Brashear on the side of the head. Brashear was knocked unconscious and missed 20 games with a concussion.

McSorley was tried in court and received a conditional sentence for assault with a weapon, but his one-year suspension from the NHL ended his 17-year career.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Bertuzzi struck him from behind and drove his head into the ice. Moore landed face-first -- with Bertuzzi on top of him -- and lay in a pool of blood for several minutes before he was removed from the ice on a stretcher.

While Moore probably deserved retribution for his earlier hits(hey, its hockey, and enforcers are a part of the game), this mugging went beyond the pale. Hockey players, like in many other sports, assume a certain level of risk and violence when they enter the rink. There are ways to fight and reactions that are acceptable, but this crossed the line, and is probably actionable. Here's hoping this guy is brought up on charges.

[Diddle E. Squat]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=1754963

Todd Bertuzzi deserves to be suspended for 20 games for his attack on Steve Moore. It was a cowardly, premeditated act against a smaller player that did plenty of damage. Even worse is that Bertuzzi went after Moore from behind. A suspension lasting 20 games would potentially cost Bertuzzi seven playoff games and send a message to the rest of the league that this type of behavior is not allowable.

But it should be pointed out that, were it not for the NHL's instigator rule, this situation would likely have resolved itself back on Feb. 16 after Moore knocked Canucks captain Markus Naslund out for three games with a concussion. Any player deemed the instigator in a fight earns an extra two-minute minor penalty and an additional 10-minute misconduct. But without the threat of additional penalties the Canucks would have been able to police the situation immediately, send a message and be done with it.

As it is, though, the instigator rule is allowing certain players to skate around using their sticks as weapons without fear of retribution from the other side. I have yet to meet a player or coach who likes the rule. Abolishing it would be a good thing for the game because teams would then have the ability to regulate themselves before the league has to step in.
-- ESPN's Bill Clement

[AppyPappy]

From what I heard, the Naslund hit was a clean hit. No penalty. Bertuzzi should be without pay until Moore comes back.

[CheezyD]

The punch was definitely a cheap shot but after that Bertuzzi was just engaging to fight like all players do. It was unfortunate what happened but I do not believe for a second he intended to pile drive the guy's head into the ice. I believe a seven game suspension is called for but that's it. Keep the cops out of it. One thing is for sure, I doubt Moore will be cheap shotting Naslund any time soon. Lesson learned. Move on.

[PRND21]

I just heard the call on the radio. I'm confused, was the hit during play or had another fight already stopped play?
Shameful regardless, but I'm curious.

[bikewench]

Crossed the line... yeah... it was a hit gone bad. Like going into the boards head first... or falling wrong.

The Av's coach should have taken Moore out of the game when it was very apparent that the Canucks were going to try to settle an unpunished score.

[nuconvert]

Did you see the hit?

[Joe Boucher]

Hockey has always had fighting and tensions sometimes run high but what this guy did was beyond acceptible.
This was assault plain and simple.
This goon should be looking at jail time. What does he think he is, a N.Y. Met or something?

[sinkspur]

I predict that checking from behind and boarding will draw game misconducts in a year or so.

In the Dallas-San Jose game Sunday, Brendan Morrow put his stick between the skates of a Shark while racing for the puck to head off an icing, and the guy slammed, knees first, into the boards.

A similar incident ended the season of another Shark last week.

The rule on icing ought to be waved off more often, too.

Hockey's a tough sport, but this career-ending stuff can be avoided, and ought to be.

And, yes, I'm all for the cops going after a goon.

[SGCOS]

...this situation would likely have resolved itself back on Feb. 16 after Moore knocked Canucks captain Markus Naslund out for three games with a concussion

Important to note that there was no penalty on the play, a review by the league and still no penalty, fine, or suspension.

In other words, a clean hit. Clement should have noted this in his commentary.

[SolutionsOnly]

Bertuzzi is a thug and thuggery will ruin the sport. it's time to send a strong message.

[Diddle E. Squat]

The video can be found here, down the right column:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=1754963#

[AppyPappy]

Decide for yourself

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

and lay in a pool of blood for several minutes before he was removed from the ice on a stretcher.

Shades of former Bruin Eddie Shore's work.

[jf55510]

In the Dallas-San Jose game Sunday, Brendan Morrow put his stick between the skates of a Shark while racing for the puck to head off an icing, and the guy slammed, knees first, into the boards.

That is not true. Morrow had nothing to do with the Shark going into the boards, the Shark player lost his edge and Morrow could have done nothing to prevent it. I think that the touch up icing is a stupid rule but as long as it is on the books players will be going balls to the wall to stop the icing.

[retrokitten]

This is absolutely disgusting. It doesn't matter what Moore did, he didn't deserve what Bertuzzi gave him. I also believe he should be charged. Didn't he threaten a DJ a couple of years ago? He deserves whatever the maximum punishment the league can give and then some. POS Bertuzzi couldn't even face him like a man when he took Moore down.

[Colonel_Flagg]

Considering the NHL may not even have a season next year, Bertuzzi's suspension really does need to fit this deed. I love hockey and crap like this will kill it.

[Petronski]

No, not a clean hit. A dirty hit that was not called.

[CWOJackson]

Bertuzzi can probably get a fill in job with the Kerry campaign.

[sinkspur]

Morrow had nothing to do with the Shark going into the boards, the Shark player lost his edge and Morrow could have done nothing to prevent it.

Well, you see it differently from me, and from Bill Clement and Gary Thorne, the ESPN broadcasters.

But, it's not worth arguing over, as there was no penalty called, and the guy walked away.