Todd Bertuzzi Vs. Steve Moore

Todd Bertuzzi was drafted into the NHL in 1993. He is currently playing on the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and is a right-winger. On February 16, 2004 during a Vancouver-Colorado game, while Bertuzzi was still a Canuck, Avalanche center Steve Moore checked Canucks captain Markus Naslund, in the head while Naslund was reaching for a loose puck. Naslund suffered a minor concussion and a bone chip in his elbow putting him out for three games. Despite the obvious call, neither official called a penalty. Three weeks later, on March 8, 2004, late in the third period Bertuzzi followed Moore down the ice and tried to start a fight. After Moore shrugged him off, Bertuzzi grabbed Moore’s jersey and sucker-punched him in the side of the head. With Bertuzzi falling on top of him, Moore went headfirst into the ice. Moore’s teammates retaliated and jumped on top of the two on the ice. At 6’3 245 lbs. Bertuzzi crashed on top of Moore causing him to suffer three fractured vertebrae in his neck, a level three concussion, vertebral ligament damage and stretching of the brachial plexus nerves. This was Bertuzzi’s way of getting back at Moore for what he did to Naslund three weeks prior and it was the only way he knew how to do it. Bertuzzi was suspended for 20 games, forfeited about $500 000 US and lost endorsements of about $350 000 US. All this to pay avenging Moore’s little hit on Naslund. Sometimes you just need to stop and think before you do such a stupid thing or you have to learn the hard way like Mr. Bertuzzi.