[r_wellwood]

Well, its interesting that this topic made its way onto an Aquarium BB - I believe that this supports the notion that this Hockey incident runs much deeper into society than most of us care to realize. This incident is tied to our everyday society.

All in all, we should all try and look at what good can come from all of this. Bottom line, within either the NHL or society we have rules/laws. Individuals don't break these rules/laws just because there is a penalty, but because we all have a sense (although different) of whats 'right and wrong'. That sense does change (short term, long term), and emotional reactions are a big factor influencing short term perception. Everyone has seen the incident, everyone has been made aware that Bertuzzi's actions were wrong, everyone has been able to see a distraught Todd Bertuzzi own up to his actions and admit he made a mistake. These are the lessons we should all hope to learn without having to experience - especially children. It would have been horrifying for the kids at the game to see this happen, and I would hope that these kids have been able to see the event through, and that this has influenced (for the better) their sense of 'right and wrong'. I would also hope that everyone has seen Todd take public responsibility for his actions; accountability is a trait that we should wish upon all people.

Now, the hockey fan in me is disappointed this whole thing happened, right from the Moore hit on Naslund two weeks or so ago. There is no doubt that this incident has opened the publics' eye to some of the issues in the game: the NHLs' lack of consistently enforcing the rules, the NHLs' lack of being proactive in protecting all players of the game, and the fact that the NHL is a business as much as it is a sport.

I hope Steve Moore is able to get back and live his life soon. The type of injury he sustained (neck) is serious, but not quite as serious as the media made it out to be. I would not want to have that injury; but, he was not subject to any high risk of permanent damage (spinal cord). Like Brian Burke, I hope Steve Moore is back skating soon.

The suspension handed to Todd is harsh, but the NHL could not have decided on anything less. There is no way the league could risk having the Canucks facing the Avs in the third round, and there is no way the league could risk having Todd back being the hero in one or more playoff games. This would take away from the severity of the situation AND would lead to more media 'bashing' towards the NHL Head Office.

I won't let the 'Canuck Fan' side of me out here, that would just open up a can of 'competitive conspiracy' and anger towards the Avs and NHL...

I would hope that this incident, as suggested on TSN, is not forgotten; and as TSN suggested it should be used as a tool to teach at many levels of hockey. Todd shouldn't have done what he did, bottom line. Was he alone in this... no. It is now turn for the NHL to step up and make 'the good ol game' a great game.

RW