SPORTS Bertuzzi Re-Instated Psuedo-fans whining coast-to-coast Colin Miley, Managing Editor Wishing to put the past behind them and move on, the NHL re-instated Todd Bertuzzi after a 17-month suspension that included last year’s hockey lockout as “time served.” Hockey fans seem to be overwhelming in their disgust at what is widely perceived as a “lenient penalty” after Bertuzzi’s 2004 assault of Colorado’s Steve Moore. I couldn’t disagree more. The whole incident began in mid-February, » 2004, when Moore hammered Canucks’ captain , and then NHL-leading scorer, Markus Naslund during a game in Colorado. No penalty was | called on the play, but several Canucks still 4 vowed to get payback on Moore for the hit. And rightfully so, I say. I’m sick and tired of people claiming that what Bertuzzi did was unparalleled in sports history. The only thing that separates Bertuzzi’s actions from other actions you can see every single week on sporting highlights was the words, “broken neck.” Steve Moore suffered a cracked vertebra, not a broken neck. There is a difference. It’s called the ability to walk. Broken neck = no walking. Cracked vertebra = walk. The stiffness of Bertuzzi’s penalty was a direct result of the NHL ending up with a prime-time public relations nightmare on national US television, not the stupidity and savageness of the crime. The NHL, fearful of losing their ESPN TV deal, made an example of Bertuzzi. How was what he did worse than Matt Johnson ending Jeff Beukeboom’s career with a gloved punch from behind? Was it worse than current Colorado coach Tony Granato’s 1994 two-handed tomahawk chop over the head of Chicago’s Neil Wilkinson that left Wilkinson convulsing on the ice? Granato got 15 games for that beauty. There was Wayne Maki fracturing Ted Green’s skull in the 1970 season. Dale Hunter separating Pierre Tureon’s shoulder after Turgeon scored a series-clinching goal in the 2000 playoffs. I’m not saying what Bertuzzi did was okay. I’m just saying that it happens in professional sports all the time, and unless the NHL is going to use this incident as the new benchmark for suspensions, Bertuzzi’s penalty fit the crime. The whole incident spawned out of three things: the NHL’s refusal to deal stern- ly with players that injure marquee players; the instigator rule stopping players from exacting swift retribution on players taking liberties with stars; and Moore’s refusal to face the music and drop the gloves after knocking out a leading scorer with an elbow. What do you think would happen to Milt Palacio if he elbowed LeBron James in the face? How about a rookie pitcher that beans Albert Puhols or Alex Rodriguez, leaving them bloodied, stitched, and concussed? The suspensions would be swift and stern. Moore received no suspension. What do you think would have happened to Moore 20 years ago had he cracked Gretzky? He’d have gotten his ass kicked by Dave Semenko, and then he’d have been suspended. His ass-kicking was delayed by six periods due to the instigator rule in hockey. No instigator rule equals immediate retribution. It’s not rocket science. NHL hockey does not have the same rules as day-to-day society. If you get into a fight on a street corner, you risk an assault charge and jail time. If there’s an on-ice fight during an NHL game, the combatants go to the penalty box for five minutes and feel much shame. Like it or not, violence and intimidation are currently accepted parts of professional sports, hockey included. Finally, if you are going to be a third-liner who hammers anyone in his wake, stars included, you’d better answer the bell when the piper comes to exact payment. Moore’s refusal to fight led to Bertuzzi finally clocking him in a fit a rage. Bertuzzi was wrong and deserved to be punished. He was punished. Now it’s time to let him play hockey again. othereditor@yahoo.ca NOTICE To all STUDENTS regarding BY-ELECTION TO THE EDUCATION COUNCIL A By-Election to the Education Council will take place in October. This notice is to advise all Douglas College students about the Nomination Process. There are two Education Council positions open for students currently enrolled at the David Lam Campus. The term of office begins October 13, 2005 and ends August 31, 2006. Nominations for these positions must be RECEIVED by the Registrar at the New Westminster campus no later than 4PM on September 27, 2005. Nomination forms are available at the Registrar’s Office and at the Student Union Office at each campus. To find out about the role of the Education Council, go to www.douglas.bc.ca/edcouncil. For more information please contact the Registrar Trish Angus at 604-527-5358.