Hey, Big Bert’s from my hometown – give the guy a break! ;)
I didn’t watch the game last night, but I watched the video of his hit on Johnson. I’ll admit that Bertuzzi isn’t going to win the Lady Byng anytime soon, but after watching the hit a bunch of times, I really don’t think it was intended to be a hit to the head. Bert’s got a couple of inches and about 30lbs on Johnson, and I don’t think he’s always in control of how hard he hits.
The incident with Moore is something different altogether. Bert wanted to go, Moore didn’t – but Bert didn’t let it go and grabbed him from behind. Then everyone piled on top of the two of them, which I think was what caused the severity of the injury. The big controversy at the time was whether Crawford sent Bertuzzi out there to get Moore. Moore wasn’t innocent there, either – no one seems to remember that a month before, Moore elbowed Naslund in the head and concussed him.
I think Bertuzzi got what he deserved in 2004 – he was out of the NHL for a year and a half. Last night he got a 5-minute major and a game. Considering Ryan Johnson isn’t hurt and when asked, wasn’t upset with Bertuzzi, I think it’s just. If the NHL really is going to crack down on headshots, we’ll see a lot more game misconducts like the one last night.
My question is this: When is the NHL going to stop putting up with Avery and his mouth?