When Todd Bertuzzi scored twice in a Calgary victory over the Avalanche on Oct. 14, the reaction from many Colorado fans reminded me that the animosity toward the Flames’ power forward hasn’t dissipated around here in the nearly five years since his attack on Steve Moore.
I decided it was appropriate to ask holdover Avalanche players and coach Tony Granato about it for a news story, and I did so on Monday.
Granato gave politically correct answers that would have drawn pats on the back from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.
Moore’s lawsuit against Bertuzzi and the Vancouver Canucks still is pending in Ontario. The league position is that it’s history, Bertuzzi paid his debt (a suspension that lasted through the lockout, but only 20 games), and dirty laundry should remain in the equipment room. Finally, there’s a clause in Section 27, clause 4, paragraph 8 of “The Code” that says, hey, you get what’s coming to you, and regardless of the excesses, you don’t go crying to a judge. Or something like that.
That day, Avalanche captain Joe Sakic also was open enough to say he considers Bertuzzi a “good man” who simply made a “huge mistake,” and that he even has been part of a group vacation to Mexico with Bertuzzi.
I’m often accused of refusing to let this die. Guilty. Bertuzzi was let off light, and the aspects of the code that led to this bear examining, even if its proponents lamely wave that off with the statement that anyone with the gumption to question it must not understand the game. Never mind that the most thoughtful examination of this incident has come from the intelligensia in Canada.
I’m ambivalent about Moore taking this to court, but the fact he hasn’t played a game since — and his career is over — complicates matters. The most ridiculous view advanced in this is that Bertuzzi merely snapped. The buildup to the incident lasted more than two weeks. There are many others culpable, and the debate over the events is predictable, including idiocy on both ends of the spectrum.
Here’s what I think the Avs should do, and I’ve said this for a long time.
Publicly acknowledge Moore, whether his lawsuit still is pending or not. Hold a Moore Night in conjunction with the fifth anniversary of the attack, either on March 4, when the Avalanche plays Detroit; or on March 10, when the opponent is Atlanta. The latter would sell tickets, but the former would eliminate the charge of exploitation, because the game will be a sellout.
Terry Frei: 303-954-1895 or tfrei@denverpost.com
