No room for violence

Hockey Digest, July-August, 2004 by William Haupt

In reference to the hit by Vancouver's Todd Bertuzzi on Colorado's Steve Moore, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman says there's no room for this type of action in hockey.

As a fan of Bertuzzi and of the game of hockey, I am shocked. Not by his actions, nor by the NHL coming down so harsh on him and the Canucks. They knew punishment was coming. I'm shocked the NHL doesn't listen and doesn't have any accountability for itself.

The non-call on an earlier hit of Bertuzzi's teammate, Markus Naslund, combined with the instigator rule, played a part in this incident Can't the NHL come out and acknowledge new rules and regulations? Fines are needed to prevent events like this from transpiring. Humility and public bashing of Bertuzzi is more than enough punishment

Todd Bertuzzi is not a criminal. The NHL should revisit the Bertuzzi suspension and take some of the hall.

William Haupt

Fort Smith, Northwest Territories