Free Republic

DENVER (AP) -- The puck went in. The music started up. The Avalanche went crazy. And then the booing began. The Vancouver Canucks thought the bedlam caused by an early Colorado goal Thursday night would offer the perfect moment to sneak Todd Bertuzzi into the game for the first time. But there was no way Avalanche fans were going to let Bertuzzi's first appearance on the ice slip by unnoticed. They had been waiting a long time to let their new Public Enemy No. 1 know exactly how they feel. The Avalanche beat the Canucks 6-2, but the game will...

EVERY TIME the National Hockey League makes headlines with a particularly ghastly bit of on-ice thuggery, a chorus of tut-tutters laments the "violent culture" that besmirches an otherwise magnificent sport. In most cases, these handwringers come off as ignorant fusspots: folks who never played hockey--and, to borrow from the famous Al Michaels quip, wouldn't know a blue line from a clothesline--yet apparently feel qualified to deliver a verdict on the game's flaws. Genuine hockey fans, whatever their own thoughts on NHL goonery, don't have much truck with these people.So it pains me--really pains me--to admit when the handwringers get one...

NEW YORK — Vancouver Canucks (search) forward Todd Bertuzzi (search), whose blindside punch left Colorado's Steve Moore (search) with a broken neck, was reinstated by the NHL on Monday. Bertuzzi was suspended for the final 13 regular-season games of the 2003-04 season and the Stanley Cup playoffs. His banishment continued throughout last season's NHL lockout, which kept Bertuzzi from playing in the World Cup of Hockey last September and the past two world championships. He also was barred from playing in any European league last season.

Bertuzzi to plead guilty WebPosted Wed, 22 Dec 2004 09:46:13 EST CBC SPORTS ONLINE - NHL hockey player Todd Bertuzzi is expected to appear in a B.C. court on Wednesday and plead guilty to assaulting on-ice opponent Steven Moore. Bertuzzi's agent Pat Morris confirmed his client will plead guilty in return for a conditional discharge. The Vancouver Canucks forward is scheduled to be in court at 9:30 a.m. PT. As part of the deal with the Crown, Bertuzzi won't serve any jail time or have a criminal record. But the plea bargain does not mean Bertuzzi is free and clear....

Bertuzzi enters not guilty plea By The Associated Press AP / Chuck Stoody Lawyer Len Doust leads client Todd Bertuzzi and his wife, Julie, to court in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Canucks player is standing trial for his hit on Steve Moore. Vancouver, British Columbia - Todd Bertuzzi of the Vancouver Canucks pleaded not guilty Thursday to an assault charge stemming from a hit on Steve Moore during a game that left the Avalanche forward with a broken neck. Bertuzzi appeared in court for 10 minutes and did not speak as he left with his wife in a limousine. His...

<p>TORONTO — Todd Bertuzzi's (search) suspension until at least next season reopened the debate over whether fighting should be banned by the NHL (search).</p> <p>Colin Campbell, the league's chief disciplinarian, couldn't escape the topic Thursday after punishing the Vancouver Canucks' All-Star forward.</p>

BAD WORSE Vancouver Canucks' All-Star forward Todd Bertuzzi is done for the season, including the playoffs. Bertuzzi attacked Colorado's Steve Moore with a sucker punch from behind, drove him face first into the ice, and broke his neck. As bad as he is, the Canuck fans can still point to someone with less character than Bertuzzi. That person is John Forbes Kerry. Like Bertuzzi, Kerry wants to win so much that he would do anything. During time of war, Kerry makes up lies and attacks the commander in chief from behind. He is trying to drive the economy down for...

Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Vancouver Canucks center Todd Bertuzzi had a one hour disciplinary hearing on Wednesday for intentionally injuring Colorado Avalanche center Steve Moore. The incident took place on Monday during Colorado's 9-2 victory at GM Place. Colin Campbell, the NHL's vice president and disciplinarian, is expected to issue his ruling Thursday morning. Bertuzzi was suspended indefinitely just hours after the game by the National Hockey League. Moore remains in a Vancouver hospital bed with a broken neck, a concussion and deep cuts on his face. Bertuzzi punched Moore in the head from behind and then jumped on...