I am definately in the minority, but I always sorta thought that they penalized the result much more than they penalized the action in that case. I mean, it certainly was a dirty play, but guys have done that before (attacking or punching a guy from behind), without causing such a serious injury and not gotten the kind of suspension he got. I think the horror everyone rightly felt at the result of the play greatly influenced the punishment, as did the league's recent desire to "clean the game up" to make it more appealing to families.
I mean guys have taken two handed chops with their sticks on other players, which is clearly an act with much more INTENT to injure and not been suspended as long. I mean they were willing to consider allowing Marty McSorely back after he whacked a guy upside the head with a stick. And if you are going to punish based on the result, there are a lot of enforcer types who have caved in guys eye sockets with their bare knuckles whos should have been banned too.
Also, let's not forget that the league, as well as the developmental leagues have encouraged this kind of action in encouraging players to police the ice themselves. Bertuzzi has never really been a dirty player, but he certainly has been tought to retaliate aginst guys/teams that are perceived to have taken shots on his team's skilled players (which Moore did in a previous game). Again, I'm not defending his actions, just stating that until recently, hockey in general has encouraged such things. That's why you hear people talk highly of players' grit, physical presence, toughness, and hard hitting.
Hell, I remember not too long ago the Blues had Tony Twist and Kelly Chase on their team at the same time, and I don't think they ever had more that 5-10 points between them in any season. They were there to kick ass when needed period.
I've hung around Twist a couple of times, and I guarantee you that between his size (he's still an avid body builder) and attitude he was often only a punch or two away from ending someone's career- in fact he was sued for doing just that to a minor league player. He used to hold his own rookie clinic to teach the youngsters the fine art of throwing punches on skates. HOw the league could condone that without realizing that eventually someone was going to seriously get hurt is beyond me.
I thought they already decided to let Bertuzzi back anyway.
Anyway, how is Moore these days? I thought I read that he looks to have some hope of playing again soon. I hope he recovers and gets to play again.
Al
(A Blues fan banished to Blackhawk-land)
