Big bert and Moore

[The Lizard King]

Just some observations...

- what Bertuzzi did was wrong and he and his employer have paid a monetary price, and in Bertuzzi's case, will continue to pay a physiological price
- IMO keep the courts out of sports unless there's a death involved, severe maiming, or it involves a fan (NBA)...none of that happened here
- to suggest he should do time is laughable unless you're also prepared to charge/sentence the guys from both teams who piled on as well
- Moore had more than 48 hours to prepare to read his statement as the timing of the plea was widely reported at least 96 hours in advance...besides, has his lawyer not been following the case?...and how many flights a day are there between here and Toronto?
- Moore was a 25 yr old rookie at the time despite playing 12 NHL games prior to last season so if he hadn't made it by then, he wasn't going to...ending a long NHL career? NOT
- do you think the Crown would have agreed to the plea if the injury was truly as bad as the public was lead to believe?....they certainly would have had access to every single medical report
- if the injuries are that severe, any lawyer worth his salt would immediately launch a civil suit...this is apparently not happening
- calling on ice or game time hearsay (threats) as evidence goes both ways and every player on each time should be called into question including Moore and any statement he has ever made to a teamate or opposing player...in other words, be careful what you wish for Moore
- either way, legally you could make a case that players could be charged or sued every single game
- what Moore did to Naslund was wrong, Naslund did not have the puck
- Moore should have been penalized during the game and suspended a game or so
- Bettman, Campbell, and the on ice officials should be held accountable for how they dropped the ball on the Naslund hit
- there's two things Moore did not learn at Harvard....1) the law of the jungle....2) how to take a punch

 

[tyb]

The Bertuzzi sucker punch and resulting injury is not allowed within the rules of hockey (you get a penalty for such an infraction). Also, what happened was beyond a normal incident of bodychecking, boarding, or fighting. When a player has to leave a game in a stretcher that is a sign that potential or actual serious injury has resulted. Then the question becomes, was the accident intentional or unintentional? In this case it was intentional. What it beyond what a player can expect when playing in the NHL? Yes.

Is it a case or the courts? Debatable either way. However, because of the criminal court case and plea, Steve Moore has an excellent civil case for injuries sustained.

What should be the NHL punishment? Using the NBA as a guide then at least one whole season. To be tough you could say the longer of one year or the length of time of injury for the injured player.

Would the punishment be any different if the injury player was a superstar like Gretzky, Lemieux, Karya or Forsberg? Unfortunately, the answer would be yes. The higher the profile the higher the punishment. The leauge would be saying 'we must protect our elite players blah blah blah'.

 

[Cock Throppled]

The degree of permanent injury to Moore has yet to be determined - so how can a valid sentence be delivered? I guess Len Doust earned his money because he seemed to have everyone from the prosecutors to the judge cowed into doing everything to accomodate the acccused. What was the rush? The case lagged for 10 months then had to be totally wrapped up in one day? The case was supposed to come to trial in three weeks, why not wait and have all the players in court? Something's fishy here. And if Bertuzzi was in court why was a taped apology used? A tape where everything could be stage managed. Why didn't he have the balls to stand up in court and apologize? Why wasn't Moore allowed to face his attacker in court? I smell a foul odour coming from the attorney general's office in BC. This all smacks of favouritism towards a pampered, home-town athlete.

 

[BushPilot]

Before all of you, and you know who you are, start crying about how this is a case of the court system showing favouritism to a star defendant, you should do some research and see what a regular guy with a spotless criminal record and lengthy record of charity and community work would get for a first offense. The same lot jumped up and down when Svend Robinson was sentenced, as well. The fact of the matter is that those sentences are right in line with sentencing norms in those kinds of cases.

As for Steve Moore claiming that he's not planning on launching a civil lawsuit, that's a joke. He's just waiting for the right time that he can claim the most money. I just heard him and his lawyer whining on TV that he didn't get to be heard in court and that an inquiry should be launched. That's another crock of shit. His twelve-page statement was read out in court. If he didn't think that was enough, he could have jumped his unemployed ass on a flight and come over here sometime in the two days prior to the hearing. I'm sick of seeing his lawyer on TV. He's getting about as annoying as that Canadian Tire tool guy.

 

[timec]

Before all of you, and you know who you are, start crying about how this is a case of the court system showing favouritism to a star defendant, you should do some research and see what a regular guy with a spotless criminal record and lengthy record of charity and community work would get for a first offense. The same lot jumped up and down when Svend Robinson was sentenced, as well. The fact of the matter is that those sentences are right in line with sentencing norms in those kinds of cases.

As for Steve Moore claiming that he's not planning on launching a civil lawsuit, that's a joke. He's just waiting for the right time that he can claim the most money. I just heard him and his lawyer whining on TV that he didn't get to be heard in court and that an inquiry should be launched. That's another crock of shit. His twelve-page statement was read out in court. If he didn't think that was enough, he could have jumped his unemployed ass on a flight and come over here sometime in the two days prior to the hearing. I'm sick of seeing his lawyer on TV. He's getting about as annoying as that Canadian Tire tool guy.

LOL - "... you know who you are" --- "The same lot..."

BP, thanks for flushing out the conspiracy. Care to share your research on sentencing?

Let’s see – a premeditated cheap shot sucker punch attack where Moore suffers a broken neck and post concussion symptoms --- after 9 months of recovery and rehabilitation he’s still not right and his ability to pursue a hockey playing future may be in doubt. Bertuzzi gets a $500 fine and community service.



excerpts from the victim impact statement submitted to a Vancouver, British Columbia, court hearing on behalf of Steve Moore:

"It was clear right from the start of the game that the Canucks still had their minds strongly set on going after me. ... I thought it best for my team that I try to help put this increasing distraction behind us, and accepted a challenge to fight from Canucks player Matt Cooke. This was my first career fight. Meanwhile, our team was playing extremely well, and I scored a goal late in the first period which set an NHL record, capping off our team scoring the fastest five goals in NHL history and bringing our lead to 5-0. The threats being made against me by Canucks players only seemed to increase though, by seemingly every player that came within earshot. Despite the Canucks obsession with trying to "get" me every time I stepped onto the ice, our team continued to try to play through it, and by the third period we were leading the game 8-2 ..."

"The next thing I knew, I was in a dark room, strapped down to a stretcher, with a neck brace on, having medical staff cut my equipment off of me. For a moment I was not sure if I was awake or asleep - until I realized I had woken up to a nightmare."

"I was brought on the stretcher out to a waiting ambulance, and taken to the emergency room of Vancouver General Hospital. My undergarments were stripped off of me, and I was connected to an IV, before I was taken from one room to another for test after test - MRJ, MRA, CT scans, X-rays, etc. It was all in a scary blur. Doctor after doctor came in to see me, and told me that we were awaiting details of the tests and did not yet know the extent of my injuries. After what seemed like hours, the doctor returned to my bedside. I was told I had a broken neck. My heart was in my throat."

"My parents, brothers and girlfriend had been watching the game live on television at home, where they waited in terror for word on my condition, and they prayed. Of my 14 horror-struck relatives who attended the game, and were waiting at the hospital, one was allowed to see me and get some information to relay to my parents."

"From that moment in the game on March 8, my reality has been completely altered. The immediate change in my life could hardly have been more drastic. I went from feeling deeply proud of finally, after so much hard work and overcoming so many setbacks, living my lifelong dream, skating alongside my childhood heroes in the NHL - to suddenly, lying in a hospital bed all day, dealing with severe pain, and prevented from sleep due to the discomfort of a rigid neck brace. The rest of the changes in my life are still with me today: I am not able to play the game I love; I am not able to experience the reward of my entire life's work; I am not able to do the things I normally, and so badly want to do; I do not know if I will ever be able to continue in the sport that I have devoted so much of my life to; and I do not know whether I will ever even be back to the same health again."

"My daily life, even now almost 10 months since, shows little resemblance of the lifestyle I used to have. Active by nature, I now long for exercise, deprived for over three-quarters of a year."

 

[RoadKill]

Bush Pilot keep up the fantastic commentary.

Berts sentence is completely in line with reallity in the Canadian court system for any one of us.

Moore and his lawyers are a bunch of whinny pansies.

BC government offered to fly him out for the hearing. What happened there??????

 

[LonelyGhost]

why isn't moore suing colorado? they are the ones who didn't resign him.

why isn't he suing his union? they aren't providing him with any medical benefits or disability insurance.

i'm sure he will sue bert when the time is right ... and that is probably the best to expect.

i do have to admit that the light sentencing for ALL assault charges is bogus ... at least a couple weeks in jail would be appropriate.

 

[Kev]

The injuries that were sustained by Moore were a result of him hitting the ice not the punch that was thrown by Bertuzzi. Yes he was knocked out before he hit the ice, but if it wasn't for the many other players dogpiling on him his injuries wouldn't be as severe. (Or maybe they would be, who can know for sure.) If Moore does sue i hope he names all the other players who contributed to his injuries in the civil suit. --- Kev

 

[Cock Throppled]

The amazing thing about sports fans is how things are justified mostly based on the colour of the sweater worn. If Moore had blind-sided Bertuzzi that night and caused the same amount of damage to the Vancouver star I wonder how many defending Bertuzzi now would be so generous to Moore. I agree the sentence to Bertuzzi is in line with a first offence and he probably is not a threat to other people (except reporters who try to ask him a question - he seems mortally afraid of them and might lash out in panic). That said, I agree with an earlier post that most assault sentences are too light. Hell, the guys that beat up that baker and his wife because they honked their horn at them still haven't even been charged.

 

[Big_Al500]

Bob _ Knob is part right.
I have developed a knack and become really quite good a delivering the ultimate revenge blow to the opposing dick head who just tried to take me out of the game or season with a CHEAP knee on knee at high speed. If people want to play that style of hockey they had better be prepared to recieve what they dish out. When I do these things I most certainly don't intend to kill anyone. Injure ? Fuck yeah!! the son of a bitch just tried to take me out and for that he will pay the same price line or no line.
As for Bert well his sentence is the work of a good lawyer and not out of line for the gravity of the NOT crime. Moore is a pussy, he cheap shotted and was returned the favor, stop whinning. Naslunds neck could have just as easily been broken by the Moore hit. Naslund got lucky Moore did'nt. Futhermore as previously mentioned none of this would have gone down if the appropriate action had been taken when Naslund got hit.
I've been at this game myself for 30 years, I still play at a high level and skate with guys half my age and in that time I've learned that the only way you get respect on the ice is if you show some and when you don't you pay. More didn't show that respect did he? He paid. fuck em!!

 

[Osiris]

A lot has already been said, but I think and hope this is a slightly different angle on the whole situation (but I'll be called a homer anyway).

This whole situation is the league's problem, and not any one player's. Officiating in the NHL has been broadly criticized for various reasons, and Moore's hit on Naslund is another example of it. Moore seems to partly hang his hat on the fact no penalty was called on his hit on Naslund, but it seems to me Moore deliberately swerved and lowered his shoulder to hit Naslund as hard as he could, even though Naslund never played the puck. On top of that, Naslund was fully extended and a sitting duck. The officials blew it then and there, and as someone else said, that hit was millimeters from ending Naslund's career.

After that, the NHL, headed by a commissioner who can never seem to concede he's wrong about anything, backed up his officials' mistake and chose to let Moore off scot free. No wonder the Canucks from the front office to the end of the bench were so pissed off.

As I recall, there was a time around the mid-point in the NHL last season where more than 20% of all starting players on NHL rosters were injured and unavailable to play. There's something wrong with the game given that's the case, and it's not anything to do with the players. Too few fouls are being called, and when they are called, suspensions are are not stiff enough generally to discourage deliberate attempts to injure.

How time changes things. As I recall, in a post-game interview after that original hit on Naslund in Feb/04, Moore said that he himself is a 4th line player who has to make an impact every shift, or his career will be over. Somehow, by the time his impact statement was written, he was a rising player whose career may be cut short. Not likely, as far as the NHL is concerned.

I feel bad for Moore's family watching on tv - obviously they were badly affected, too. But, did they feel bad for Markus Naslund's family when their son cheap-shotted Naslund with Nazzy's family watching on tv in Vancouver? Were they proud of their son after that play? Some of us here aren't the only ones who are one-sided.

I didn't hear many thank you's in that Moore press conference. The question I would have asked is, "How many Colorado players have been in touch with Steve Moore and how recently?" I bet the answer to that would be as telling as hearing that no Canucks have contacted him. Why would any Canucks call, though, after Moore repeatedly brushed off attempts from Bert to contact him by phone, fax, email, anything? Why would any other Canuck player think he'd want to hear from them after that?

This whole circus began with Steve Moore and his cheap hit on Naslund. Maybe it wouldn't have blown up if Moore had just faced May or Bert, hung on for the ride, and skated into the next game. We'll never know.

 

[Mr Blonde]

I'm glad Bertuzzi got a slap on the wrist. While it is tragic that Steve Moore broke his neck, and could have been killed (if more Avs players dogpiled on him) it should have been left with the punishment that Bettman handed down.

We all know Nazzy is Bertuzzis' bestest buddy and the best revenge would have been kicking Colorado Ass that night but, we all know that didnt happen either

Moore was a sub-par player before all this bullshit happened and he's already gotten more attention than he deserves now that it's all said and done.

I think he should also grow a set of balls. His comments in the paper about not wanting to ever be in the same room as Bertuzzi ever again completely lack any sort of character or self respect. I know if someone sucker punched me and broke my neck...there'd be hell to pay once I got well again.

Fuck Steve Moore and his Harvard Law Degree

Merry Christmas

 

[scott231]

Todd Bertuzzi Should Be Banned From the NHL!!! If Steve Moore can't play anymore then Todd Bertuzzi should be black balled from the NHL like Marty McSorley was. I have absolutley NO respect for Todd Bertuzzi for his actions.

 

[Kev]

Todd Bertuzzi Should Be Banned From the NHL!!! If Steve Moore can't play anymore then Todd Bertuzzi should be black balled from the NHL like Marty McSorley was. I have absolutley NO respect for Todd Bertuzzi for his actions.

BANNED???? He should pay for his actions, thats pretty much agreed by all. Whether you are pro or con, but banned from the NHL because other players, (Vancouver and Colorado) all decided to dogpile on Moore and as a result Moore broke his neck and sustained a concussion. Was that completely and explicitly Bertuzzis fault? Bertuzzi had a huge part, but should he be held completely accountable? I would say NO.

With your mentality thank god your not a MOD of this board or there would be no one left. Happy Holidays. --- Kev

 

[tommyrr]

i agree kev,, and scott should use his head ,,, should all the players be suspended that jumped on top? third man in?,,,, hmmmm

 

[timec]

The injuries that were sustained by Moore were a result of him hitting the ice not the punch that was thrown by Bertuzzi. Yes he was knocked out before he hit the ice, but if it wasn't for the many other players dogpiling on him his injuries wouldn't be as severe. (Or maybe they would be, who can know for sure.) If Moore does sue i hope he names all the other players who contributed to his injuries in the civil suit. --- Kev

and he hit the ice because

There's been way too much "diffusion" made over the so-called piling on - have another look:


Big Bad Bert's Cheap Shot Sucker Punch

.

 

[schizo_man]

bad link there timec

 

[timec]

thanks - I had it cached and (duh) it was working fine for me... some goofy redirection going on as the link itself (if you cut and paste it) works fine.

but this one's better - hopefully it stays up/active (it's a bitch finding an active link):

once again - Big Bad Bert's Cheap Shot Sucker Punch


.

 

[Kev]

once again - Big Bad Bert's Cheap Shot Sucker Punch.

It proves my point. Moore is knocked out, Bertuzzi falls forward on top of Moore, and other players pile on top. --- Kev

 

[Kev]

It proves my point. Moore is knocked out, Bertuzzi falls forward on top of Moore, and other players pile on top.

I make no excuses for Bertuzzi. I'm just wondering if a good lawyer will find other means at persuading a judge that there were other contributing factors to Moores injuries. From what i have seen i would say yes. Because there is no way anyone can rule it out. The video clip shows other players on top of Moore. Was Bertuzzi the main cause of Moore's injuries? Of course he was, but was there any other contributing factors to Moore's injuries? If i was a lawyer i would argue yes. Maybe i'm wrong. --- Kev