The Disport of Sport

Life on the Ice:

Can Bertuzzi survive this?

By Jessica Johnson

FREE TODD; IN TODD WE
TRUST... These signs have been
popping up cn campus during the
last couple of weeks. But what do
they mean exactly?

Simply put, they are in support
of Vancouver tough-guy Todd
Bertuzzi, who provided the sucker
punch that sent Colorado
Avalanche centre Steve Moore to
hospital with two broken verte-
brae in the neck.

On a deeper level, they account
for everything (ie: questions, accu-
sations, rumors, etc.) that has been
going on since this happened.

“In Todd we Trust” implies to
me that whoever displayed this
sign actually understands the
mindset of Bertuzzi, which is more
than many people can say, as they
go along with the crowd and per-
secute him and his actions.

It’s a given that he meant to
punch Moore, but was the damage
inflicted intentional? No. It’s a
given he’s also very, very sorry for
it. Does someone still have to be
held accountable for the outcome?
Definitely. Bertuzzi and the
Vancouver franchise are facing the
consequences, within their “NHL
family.”

They were playing hockey,
someone punched someone, some-
one got hurt, there’s a suspension
and penalties. End of story, right?

It should be the end of the story,
for people looking at this logically.

Everyone realizes that hockey is an
aggressive sport and accidents do
tend to happen on_ occasion.
Anyone who plays takes this risk
when he steps on the ice. Bertuzzi
himself has said that nobody
except for those players on the ice
can understand exactly what hap-
pened out there.

There is a degree of emotion and
intensity that plays a factor in the
game that the fans sitting on the
couch cannot fully realize. Anyone
who has ever played any sport has
a general understanding of this
intensity factor, but I suspect it has
to be multiplied a couple hundred
times to resemble what Bertuzzi
was feeling during the whole
thing. None of us can fully under-
stand what happened, but: In Todd
We Trust.

So, the big question remains:
should he be held accountable off
the ice as well? I have yet to per-
sonally speak to one person, fan or
not, police officers included, that
think assault charges should be
brought up.

If Bertuzzi is charged, there are a
few others that need to be scruti-
nized as well. First of all, the
Avalanche coach, for sending
Moore out there in the first place.
He knew it was coming, he knew
the timing was right, and I’m sure
the lines could have been mixed
up a little more to get Moore out of
there.

Secondly, isn’t it questionable as

Photo by Dana Schwehr

Is ita dock? A wooden sidewalk? No, it’s the fencing that once surrounded the ice rink at UNBC. After a strange, crazy
windstorm on Tuesday night, the fencing was found blown over, and destroyed. Oh well, it’s not all bad, it gave us our sub-
ject for this issue's gratuitous snow photo. I’m gonna sing the Doom Song now...Doom, doom doom, doomy doomy doom,
doom-doom-doom-DOOOOOOM....

to whether some of the damage to
Moore’s neck was brought about

by the other Colorado players that -

piled on top of Bertuzzi right after
the punch?

Thirdly, the NHL for not taking
action against Moore right after
the hit on Naslund and stopping
this whole mess before it started.

The punch itself was not the sole
cause of the injuries, so why is
Bertuzzi the sole recipient of the
punishment?

Simply in:order to make an
example out of him, that’s why.
Bertuzzi is the perfect player, as a
tough-guy who is already hated by
many fans, to use as a case-in-
point for future “trouble-makers.”
If it wasn’t Bertuzzi behind the
punch, the aftermath would not be
so ridiculous.

Now the players and manage-
ment of the Canucks, as well as the
fans, have to pay for this bad
judgement by losing one of their
star players for playoffs and possi-
bly even the next season, or longer,
depending on the outcome of the
so-called “assault” charges.

Hockey will inevitably turn into
a different game, at least, for
awhile with the most dreaded out-
come of a police investigation.

They are taking over an area that —

should be sanctioned (within rea-
son), and Bertuzzi’s remorseful
punch is not a good enough rea-
son.

IN TODD WE TRUST.

8

MARCH 24, 2004

FITNESS CORNER

Fitness Corner
Flyfishing: Pastime, Obsession or Workout

The light rippling sounds of the water, a gentle breeze, the call
of the loon and the quick, bright flash of a chrome-bodied rain-
bow trout at the end of a fishing line are what make up a perfect
day for many avid flyfishers around our area. Living amidst the
great outdoors, we are surrounded by a plenitude of lakes and
rivers full of fish just waiting to be teased with a fly.

How does this fit into a fitness corner, you ask? Easy. Flyfishing
is the perfect way to spend the day outside, in the peacefulness
of the wilderness, as a fitness practice for the body and the mind.

Leave the aluminum boat at home, and take out the belly boat,
or the pontoon boat, for a very easy, yet effective, workout., —
Constant kicking around the lake will burn off a lot more calories
than it feels like. For a more strenuous activity, and a good arm
workout, adventurers can invest in a bigger pontoon boat (8 feet
is a good size) and test out the river rapids, while still searching
for those fish.

Local author, guide and flyfishing enthusiast, Lewis Johnson,
highly recommends the activity to anyone who is looking for a
new hobby or sport.

“I think flyfishing is becoming a popular pastime for many
people,” says Johnson. “It is an excellent sport for the young
individuals as a recreational pursuit and an excellent way to relax
and unwind in a less hectic environment.”

For people with a lot of stress in their lives, flyfishing offers a
way to escape from all of that. Imagine being a solitary figure sit-
ting on a lake nestled among the trees, with only the murmur of
the water and the scent of the pine trees to keep you company.
Johnson cannot picture anything better.

Johnson is the author of “The Chronic Flyfisher,” a novel that
explores various flyfishing techniques, and includes coverage for
the area’s hundreds of lakes. It is the perfect starting peint-far:
anyone, novice or pro, interested in taking up flyfishing.

To learn more about these and the other joys of flyfishing, or
fer guiding information, make contact with Johnson by visiting
his website at www.thechronicflyfisher.com.

SCOREBOARD

UNBC HOCKEY - PGRHL 39 16 TY © teen 274
March 2 Results
WOLFPACK 3
SUPERSTORE/BX PUB 6
March 6 Results
WOLFPACK 5
ADMIRAL ROOFING 4
March 8 Results
WOLFPACK 9
JC AUTO/PINEDALE 5
March 12 Results
WOLFPACK 5
SHOOTER’S/ BP 5

Rec. A - UNBC Timberwolves
CPW i er MA
So lo iy 7 267 4

March 3 Results
UNBC 11 LABATT BLUES 7

March 6 Results
UNBC 4 BX PUB VIPERS 8

March 7 Results
UNBC 10 LUMBER KINGS 11

Rec. B - Greywolves
OV TG
Kec tel Ae 0 Pn A ls PS AES)

March 6 Results
GREYWOLVES 12
JC AUTO/PINEDALE 5

March 8 Results
GREYWOLVES 5
THE MADNESS 16

March 14 Results
GREYWOLVES 11
ENV DYNAMICS/PWH 8

UNBC INDOOR SOCCER -
BCISL
Men's
February 29 Results
UNBC(1) 3
CASINO HOLLYWOOD 6
UNBC(2) 2 HONDA NORTH 3

Women’s

March 1 Results
UNBC 1

Rec. B - U Grad Wolfpack LAKELAND MILLS 7

Ge VN ay Lop a,