Viewpoint

Colin:

The hit on Naslund was "technically" clean. The scenario you describe is patently false though. Moore was not reaching for the puck as you describe. He intentionally attempted to hit Naslund when he saw the opportunity. It was a legal hit - just as the Drury hit was legal. The problem here is that these types of hits - the head shots - should be illegal. You are the one who is out to lunch - considering your description - Moore's intent was to hit Naslund - there is no doubt about that. Maybe try some new eyewear and check out the video yourself - again. :)

I've read 80% of the postings here and have come to the following conclusion:

Hitting from behind is the problem in this case and many others. Hooking, holding, and interference might retract from the goal of speed and scoring, but now that the officials are concentrating on these relatively minor infractions, hitting from behind and stick infractions are pretty much ignored.

Sure Simon reacted before using better judgement, but I think I'd be just a little PO'd if a "tough guy" like Hollweg hit me from behind instead of facing and challenging me. Once the officials start concerning themselves with incidents like hitting from behind I predict the reaction problems will stop. Fix the problem not the symptom.

Anyway Hollweg is fine, probably better off than he would have been if Simon pounded the hell out of him.

Things like this arent whats ruining the game of hockey, although i dont think its okay. Why dont we and the media worry about things that really matter in the league like the amount of teams in the states that are in struggling markets and the fact that the league dosent realize that the americans dont get hockey. Look at the Penguins situation they havent got any support from the fans in the last few years, and now they're going to consider moving it to another market that will support them for the first year and then go into hiding. Not even an original six team like Chicago can get fans out. Im tired of the league catering to the states and leaving Canadian potential buyers out in the cold. The whole Penguins thing could have been settled by now if they didn't step in on Balsile. Oh no he might move the team to Canada where it would thrive, thats no good. If it wasn't for the Canadian teams there would be no league, at least one that would be worth watching anyway, we would still be watching a highlighted puck for christ sake.
I know its not all the American teams and fans,but I mean the Hurricanes and the Lightning win the Stanley Cup and now they can't even fill the Arena. Maybe its cause im one of those dumb Leaf fans that cant stop cheering for a team that cant put a winner on the ice, but maybe if the American fans were a little more loyal they might deserve to keep a team. Im sure theres fans in Winnepeg that still cheer fo Phoenix even though they got screwed. So lets stop worrying about the dumb stuff like this and look at somthing that matters.

Frustrated Fan of the game!

okay, Bman and all the rest out there that think Steve Moores hit on Naslund was dirty. You are all out to lunch.

You need to go to a website and view the video.
Moore is skating along the center red line tracking down a loose puck at the same time Naslund extends to try poke the puck. Moore reaches the puck first and plays it. At this point Naslund is down with a knee almost on the ice sliding towards Moore. Naslunds stick goes between Moores legs and he lifts his left foot slightly to step over the stick. Moore moves his stick away from Naslund and tucks his left elbow against his body. He DOES NOT stick it out to try and hit Naslund with it which if he was head hunting he would have done.
He does not step into to Naslund, he follows a constant path along the red line and Naslund slides into him.

I don't even consider this a check, it's incidental contact. Anyone who actually plays the game would agree, other than the canuck players.

It is CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN ,CLEAN !!!!!!

Colin

In my opinion, retaliation has been a part of hockey since teams took to the ice, even on outdoor rinks with kids. That is a fact and that will never change - if it does, the men's team sport as we know it, will end.

Bertuzzi has already appologized for what he did. However, the Moore situation has happened countless times in the NHL, just not with the same serious resulting injury.

I would assume that Beruzzi was acting on some good legal advice to appologize as fast as he did in 2004, but the NHL needs to get it together and stop people from playing the game the way Moore did when he "set out" with "deliberate intent" to seriously injure Markus Naslund, which he did.

Bertuzzi did not have the intent to cause the injury that occurred to Moore; unfortuneately, if the law comes into play, which it should never have, he is culpable for the resulting injuries.

I feel for Moore and his prolonged injury and likely the end of his career, but Bertuzzi wanted to kick his a** for being a moron, not to break the guy's neck; its part of the game that can not cease to exist with cheap shot artists like Moore becoming as regular as beer in the stands.

Yes, Todd needs to re-think going after someone like Moore the way he did, but to clear Moore of all responsiblity is beyond banal if one understands the nature of "team" at all and the acquiescence to the violent underpinnings in men's hockey at almost any level.

Protection and retaliation is part of the game and sometimes guys get hurt for being stupid. Players can not have a blank cheque to injure players and expect not to be dealt with in the usual manner on the ice.

I hope Steve Moore can make it back to the NHL and be a different player; I wish him well in his recovery.

Play on Big Burt in the Motor City. I love your game!

Yes it was a bad slash and Simon deserves the punishment given out by the league. As for banning Simon forever that would have been too much. Remember Perezohgin (playing for Montreal now) did an equally or even worse slash to the face of an another player when playing in the AHL. He is still playing, what about the other guy. The league and the players themselves have to have come up with a way to deal with hitting from behind and hits to the head.

Chris Simon has been thrown to the wolves. A referee misses the call, Chris is mad as hell and settles it with the perpatrator right now.
Seems to me that's about what happened.

What happened to the Leaf defenceman last week should not have. There aRE TOO MANY FRINGE PLAYERS BEING BROUGHT INTO THE LEAGUE AND THEY HAVE NO RESPECT FOR THE VETS.

Larry...Bertuzzi's suspension was longer than 12 games. He missed the 7 games of the playoffs that year. He also was not allowed to participate in any international leagues or tournaments during the lockout, as he was still suspended. I'm not saying it was long enough, or equivalent to a season of NHL hockey, but it was certainly more than just a 12 game suspension.

The NHL acted accordingly and Simon agreed with the result. He snapped, we all do. We all don't have sticks in our hands when we do though. He will lose a significant amount of pay for his actions. They are big boys, they will sort out their differences. He apologized, enough said.

Now if only our justice system would respond in the same way.

Rob (and Jeff, et. al.)

Sorry to answer so late.

I think you misunderstand me. I'm NOT arguing that you should keep your head up for stick attacks. I'm arguing that you should ALWAYS have your head up - in the locker room, in the parking lot, and at home in bed. Because you never know when some NHL-sanctioned goon might leap out and club you from behind.

You "old-time" guys love the goons. Fine, but accept the obvious - if you are going to claim that Drury should have had his head up to avoid Neil's cowardly hit from behind, then EVERYBODY should have their head up all the time. Otherwise, it's their own fault if their career is ended by a goon.

To defend Neil but condemn Simon is the worst kind of hair-splitting. More likely it reveals a nationalistic bias because Neil plays for a Canadian team but Simon doesn't. If Heatley or Alfredson had been hit like Drury, would you feel the same? Be honest.

Just back to what Don in Halifax said, Moore's neck injuries weren't caused by the pile-on, the doctors at the time determined that his vertebrae had already been broken by the punch when he hit the ice, and if you remember, the pile-on started with one Colorado player grabbing Bertuzzi's arm to stop him from landing another punch, which he was all lined up to do. Moore's injuries from Bertuzzi could easily have been a lot worse if that had happened.

Some people seem to be saying that retaliation of this kind is ok or to be expected after a hit from behind and that Moore or Hollweg somehow got what they deserve. That is ridiculous - vigilante justice in a sport like hockey will lead to dead bodies on the ice sooner or later. Better to walk away and, like Hollweg said, the best revenge is to put one in the net.

I agree that Simon's not a bad person and I think he knows his suspension is fair. I heard he's planning to apologize personally to Hollweg - three years later, isn't it about time that Bertuzzi should do the same?

Basketball players brawl with fans, and football players seem to be involved in shootings pretty regularly these days. I don't see anyone jumping on those sports blaming the game for violence.
Simon snapped.
Bertuzzi's thing was clearly a mistake on his part.
These things happen. It's about Simon, not about hockey.

Hockey needs to decide what the heck it wants--no fighting, no this, no that, but checks from behind are legal? What if Hollweg and smashed Simon's face like Lemiuex did to Draper? Or if he had paralyzed him like that poor kid from Boston College?
They condone one form of violence but try to limit others--Simon knew darn well Hollweg got away with a cheap shot and he had to retaliate.
I say Hollweg got what he deserved--he's lucky he only got a couple of stitches . . .

So Simon gets minimum 25 games. 43 max if the Isles play 28 playoff games, and a concussion to boot.

I would say just desserts, given the action - stick as weapon and all. He should have dropped the stick and used his fists - but being concussed already, a fight may have resulted in death. I saw that part of the game (the hit) and thought Hollwegs hit was pretty dirty, I'm not sure that in Simon's shoes I wouldn't have reacted the same way.

I can't help but wonder if the severity of some the punishments handed out in the past depended on the agressor.
I wonder how the darling Crosby would have been treated if he had committed the infraction. Oh what am I saying - they all get treated equal. (I seem to recall Scott Niedermayer clubbing someone in the head with a stick in the playoffs a few years ago and getting a slap on the wrist)

The suspension sends a message though. Hopefully they (Mr Campbell et al) are increasing the suspension time with each event like this. Next one (for anybody not just Simon)- 30 games, 40 etc etc.

Congretulations. You have found your fair share of psychopaths on skates going postal. About time teams start buying insurance, spawning a new industry.

Should Simon be suspended? Yes, but what initiated his actions - a check from behind. This not the first time Hollweg has had
some questionable hits from behind. If Hollweg had injured Simon would we be having the same conversation? Is it just me or are we seeing more cross-checks / hits from behind, I counted five in one period one game. Maybe the Ref's or the league should be a little more concerned with the hits from behind, the use of the stick as in Simon's case, and a little less on some questionable hooking or interference.

How about implementing what that blow hart Don Cherry has suggested. If it is determined that there is an intent to injure -make the culprit sit out as long as the victim is injured.

As for criminal charges, well, seems to be a bit silly, since every fight can be considered a crimianl offence, every slash, elbow etc.

Enough with that silliness, you step on the ice, you consent to a certain amount of violence. If one acts like a moron like Steve Moore did by taking out Naslund in the Canucks previous game with Colorado(a deliberate intent to injure by Moore against Naslund), one has to pay the piper.

Moore does not deserve a dime. Bertuzzi has paid more than his due for retaliating for his friend and team mate. Let the NHL deal with its offenders.

Maybe players should just suing each other for every injury one recives in the course of game from a cheap hit or even a clean hit. The lawyers would love that.

A player who deliberately injures another player should be suspended a minimum 10 games or for as long as the injured player is out whichever is greater. if the injured player cannot ever return to play then the offending player is done too. Out of the game... gone! The NHL should have a doctor to examine the injured player to ensure he isnt sitting out just to keep the offending player out of games after they have recovered. Maybe then they would respect each other.

That chop was far worse than the Brashear/McSorley highstick. I mean, Simon wound up HARD on him and tried to take his head off. Even in contrast to the Moore/Bertuzzi incident, this is worse, just less of injury. I think a ban from the NHL is at hand. Although, maybe a heat of the moment attack, when will he do it again?

In reading and listening to Steve Moore it is evident that he still does not understand that he precipitated the incident which led to his injury, and further, that he feels no remorse for the concussion he caused Naslund. Moore knew that he was a marked man, and could have, between the two games in question, addressed the situation behind the scenes. He did not.

In addition he has retained counsel who is notorious for mining tragedy for years. Moore's statements are self-serving revisionisms. I am ashamed that he is a Canadian hockey player.

With reference to Hollweg, he did not have the benefit of time to deal with the situation. Simon was wrong. He should have challenged Hollweg to a fight. Simon should be suspended on a scale commensurate with McSorley, Bertuzzi, Gary Suter and the like.

Chris Simon as far as I am concerned has put himself in the Marty McSorley category. He is a veteran who should know better. Responsibilty is a big part of this great game and Smon had better accept his part. A season ending suspension is clearly warranted, if not longer.
This will become a measuring stick for future infractions. Mr. Campbell please have the sentence fit the crime.

It is a beautiful game, but it needs to continue to progress. There is far more talent to choose from; better coaching techniques; lighter equipment, helping players move faster; and a much younger fan base, who demand a faster and more entertaining game without violence. Traditionalists, continue to have a strong influence on the game as they well should. There are two areas in particular where the aspects of the game have changed very little over the last 50 years. Unfortunately, these may also be hurting the game we all love!

When ever new equipment has been introduced, it has to pass the safety code and also "the hockey code". Most players have no problem with equipment which provides more protection, especially when it is hidden from view by "cool looking" uniforms. The same can not be said when it comes to head gear. Almost every concussion in the last several years has resulted from the helmet not being securely fastened to the head, thus leaving the hockey player not fully protected when there is an impact to the head area.

The other area traditionalists can lay claim to is how the physical size of the ice surface has not changed in the modern era. Players are much faster then they were years ago. There is less room today on the ice to show case their skills. A larger ice surface makes perfect sense in today's game as it would provide players more room to skate and pass with out taking away from the physical play. There would be less board work. There would have to be stricter rules in place for hitting from behind, but the physical aspect of the game would be more in proportion to what it was like years ago.

It is a beautiful game, but it is ever changing. Tradition will always be a part of it, but we can not allow it to influence aspects of the game that need to be addressed for the safety and well being of the players, especially when we have experienced serious injuries beyond the modern day acceptance levels.

First of all, I don't condone this type of behaviour. He should get suspended 3-5 games, comparable to Emery's slash. However, the league will blow this, as has the media, all out of proportion and suspend him for the season, possibly the playoffs. They can't sell the game to the Yanks if this is allowed to be part of the game. Which it has, is, and always will be. This is hockey, not basketball you idiots.

Hollweg, a supposed tough guy, hit Simon hard from behind, (When Crosby gets hit like that all hell breaks loose), then Simon made an error in judgement and wacks him. From the front I might add. Then Hollweg lays there like a big baby. Probably called his lawyer from his cell phone as he layed there. Big tough Californian.

Hollweg should get a wack just for saying he hit Simon on the half boards. This is a tough, and sometimes mean, sport. Stop trying to turn it into something else.

Thanks, Albert

Lem

I think you're being a little to harsh in your words. Chris Simon dedicates alot of time to charities, visits sick children in the hospital, works with trouble youths. He is far from a cowardly, despicable, loathsome person.
Perhaps those comments would be better used for
Serial Killers
Child Molester's
CEO's of companys that offshore Canadian jobs to India, China, Eastern Europe.

What he did was wrong, he knows it, we know it. I'm not going to use words like cowardly, despicable, loathsome to decribe someone who has probably done more for other people than I have.

Colin

"We have all done or said things that we immediately regretted. " says one of our posters. If we had done this, we would be facing criminal charges.

As an expat Canadian living in the south, I wait patiently through interminable college and high school basketball highlights waiting for a glimpse of the NHL with a team other than Atlanta or Carolina. Sure enough, for one day, hockey placed in the first 10 minutes of the sportscast. Dumb - and damaging. Simon is a muscle headed idiot with minimal skills who has just done more damage to the entire game in one minute than Sydney Crosby can repair in a season.Get Simon and others out of the league as part of the great changes that are oging on.

This problem is something that needs to be addressed not only on the professional level, but on the youth level, on the high school and college levels, and beyond. It must be engrained into the fabric of the game that under NO circumstances can a stick be used as a weapon. It needs to be taught that if you use the stick as a weapon ONE TIME, you will never set foot on the ice ever again. You may not hit someone from behind with the intent to injur, and if you do, you risk chances of being able to suit up for any club on any level.

In order to cut down on late hits and related injuries you accomplish more, if like in the Kaberle hit, the 3 game suspension would be served by the player on the team with the highest points todate and the financial penalty by the player who did the hit. The team management would think twice about putting such a player on the ice knowing that they might lose the services of their best player. This makes the entire team responsible for the actions of all members.

he should be banned from pro hockey! Stick swinging should be a mandatory jail time. Get rid of the instigator penalty. tt

Some advice to Gary and Al, keep you mouth shut and let people think you are ignorant rather than open it and confirm it for them. Gary - Moore didnt knee Naslund. It was a clean hit on a star player. The Canuck players threatened physically in the media. Nothing happpened at their next meeting and then in Vancouver, as it has been repeatedly mentione, Moore fought a Canuck early in the game to honor the "code". Why should he fight Bertuzzi? Does the "code" now say you have to fight again if you beat up the first idiot? It was a little obvious with Bertuzzi chasing Moore around the ice in a roid rage. Isn't he the same guy, who as a junior chased and attacked the other team's bus as they left the rink? A little psycho maybe? And further more Al, does your "code" include a free shot to the ribs or back after someone scores a goal on your team? That tradition is boarderline criminal as well.

Simon should be suspended for the remainder of the year for his actions. The NHL has to move towards promoting a respectful, gentlemanly sport. For all the Don Cherry's out there, this doesn't mean no body contact or the odd emotion filled fight.(not the staged jokes the NHL owners are promoting). Pretty soon we will see Don King behind the bench, or wait, maybe Vince McMahan. Simply stated, players need to be heavily penalized for any intent to injure. (This includes open-ice head shots)

I can't stand half of these comments coming from people who have never played hockey or haven't played at a competitive level. And to top it off the media saying Simon attacked Hollweg.Just as Bert attacked Moore and McSorley on Brashier. Hockey is a tough game, or it was.....Too much lip service and not enough action. Half the scrums after a whistle are pushing matches or guys hiding behind the ref to make sure they won't get hurt but they are willing to talk tough or give a stick when nobody is watching. You take fighting away and for guys who are used to settling their differences the old fashion way, get walked all over with these new rules. Ask the great one about his friend Semenko. What would happen if someone touched Grez or worse off tried to get one over on Semenko. It wouldn't happen! There used to be respect in the league back when it was a mans game, and now too many chickens and not enough roosters!!!!!!

I remember Chris Simon from the Avalanche's first Stanley Cup Championship. I was glad to have a Grizzley Bear like him on our team. If he still played for Colorado i would be EMBARRASSED to be associated with the organization. There is NO PLACE in hockey for this type of action, whether it be what Chris Simon did, the ATTACK on Chris Drury by the COWARDLY Ottowa player, or the Brutal Attack by Terd Bertuzzi. I think the enforcers' role is substantial, but this kind of play does no good for the game or the future of the game. Even though i like(D) Chris Simon I feel he should be permanantly EXPELLED from the game. What do we know of Steve Moore these days? Is he still playing? NO... BUt Bertuzzi just got traded with the ability to play in the playoffs. He too should have been banned like McSorely was. Donald Brashear is a goon and probably hda it coming, but i still disagree with McSorely's action. THe bottom line is that we CANNOT tolerate this and the effect it has on our children. They need to be taught that this behavior is UNACCEPTABLE!

After seeing Chris Simon's homerun swing to Ryan Hollweg's face, I was disgusted and thought "How much worse can this get?!" and then remembered that Colin Campbell and Gary Bettman will have to mete out punishment. If the Bertuzzi and McSorely suspensions are any precedent, don't expect anything close to what this should deserve. Nothing less than the remainder of the season, the playoffs, and the first half of next season would be appropriate. The parent of a "Mite" or "PeeWee" player would administer a harsher suspension to their own kid than what we can expect from the NHL's leadership...and these players are ADULTS!
Colin and Gary, a measure of your character is in what you will do when faced with a difficult decision like this one. Forget your marketing responsibilities for 5 minutes and DO THE RIGHT THING!! Bertuzzi got 12, McSorely 23, and now this. Obviously the league is not getting players' attention. Let Simon contemplate his actions over the next half season.

Thank you Lem for being the official moral authority on what is right and wrong now. Hindsight is a tool used by people never involved in instant decisions. Simon was wrong, he will be suspended, and it should not end his career. If you play sports and are competitive you know what stupid decisions you are capable of during the heat of the moment. None of you know Simon, none of you know Bertuzzi, none of you know McSorely, and evidently most of you don't know hockey. Stop making inaccurate character judgements. If you want to really truly fix the problem fix the refs. They are inconsistent, miss obvious penalties, call non-existent penalties and seem to have been given the authority to decide games. Oddly enough, players have decided to stop looking to the refs (and the league) to resolve problems and are doing it themselves. We have a good game. We had an unfortunate incident, and we have a bunch of people trying to make something out of nothing. There is not going to be a rash of stick-to-the-head incidents as a result of this. What message needs to be sent?

Hits from behind must be eliminated from the game. To me the most severe hit ws the Suter on Gretzky years back. The games most elite player was never the same after that cheap hit. The game suffered as it will continue to when this happens. Is the NHL waiting for this to happen to Crosby before making a serious move? As for the well jawed discussions re Bertuzzi I have said from the start that he should never be allowed to step foot on league ice until Moore can. Doesn't anyone remember the post game interview with Nasland where he described Moores hit as clean?

I have to agree with one of the previous blogs i read. I agree that the real North American style hockey has to be brought back. Send Bettman back to the NBA where he belongs. Until, the players can beat the crap out of each other, this behind the back hitting will never stop. Noone can condone what Simon did,but a stiff penalty is in order. Bring back the good old style of hockey where goons beat each other up and hopefully don't crank anyone over the head or in the face. Oh yeah, its not just the imports who don't want the old fighting hockey back, guys like the great Mario Lemieux were amongst the sucks who didn't want to play the old time hockey

Al, you're an idiot. To claim that "Moore's hit on Naslund was a dirty hit and he deserved some sort of retribution from the Canucks" makes as much sense as saying that Naslund should have gone out and fought Moore himself. Oh wait, you did say that, except about Moore: "Further why didn't Moore face up to Bertuzi and fight like a man." So why didn't Naslund fight Moore like a man? The whole idea of retribution is what is wrong with the modern NHL. Because the league refuses to hand out appropriate punishment for obvious offenses and referees "miss" too many calls, the players are left having to look out for themselves. This shouldn't be the case. A great recent example is the high stick on Brian McCabe at the end of last Saturday's game, which should have been a 4 minute penatly since he was left bleeding from above the eye. No penalty...so he goes out on the next shift and slashes the offender on wrist. In the typical reaction as with Simon and Bertuzzi, only the retaliation is called - and so with McCabe, he gets a penalty for slashing. The league needs treat the problem (the initial incidents), not the symptoms (the retaliation).

When McCreary (I think it was) hit Gretzky back in the early 80's, it was a nasty "catch him with his head down" kind of play. But it taught Wayne a lesson, and set the tone for how he played thougout his career. But this was miles away from what we saw Thursday night in Uniondale. Gretzky basically hit a brick wall, but Hollweg slammed Simon face-first into the boards, to which Chris reacted very poorly and quite brutally. Nonetheless, I blame neither player. I blame the league. Ealier this season they would have called that immediately as a hit from behind. But for the past few months suddenly these hits are being ignored by officials? What the heck? Why the turn around? A mark of inconsistent officiating, or a quiet league - wide revision by the owners? Players have had a whole season adjusting to the fact no one would take a cheap shot like this and now that we are seeing these plays, the players in an almost defenseless position. In the bottom line, if the league has suddenly decided not to protect players from cheap shots, surely we can't blame them for protecting themselves. As another poster commented, Simon should have dropped the gloves and pounded Hollweg...but regardless, the way things are going, this will not be the last such situation.

"Ben C.

Philadelphia

The hit that Hollweg was from behind, but very clean at the same time."

Really? Please enlighten us to how hitting someone from behind so that they go face-first into the boards is clean? I take it's never happened to you, but coming from someone who it has happened to its an experience that can get you quite upset.

That fact that Simon got up makes it OK? What if he was paralyzed, severely cut, lost his teeth or sustained a concussion? Then its wrong?

I definintely don't agree with the way that Simon reacted, but for Hollweg to go unpenalized in that situation is ridiculous.

This hit was horrible. Sticks are made to score, make poke checks and clear crisp passes. They were not designed to represent weapondry or to injure. As a huge Rangers fan, better yet a fan of this great game I never want to see that misuse of responsibility ever again.

Frank, you cant seriously be that dumb, are you not from the same city that was very recently sniveling over the Drury hit?

Have his head up for a return bodycheck or fight sure but a stick to the face like a baseball bat, give your head a shake. That loss of personal control has no place in any sport. The pinacle of athletics has been diluted in all sport through expansion. Chris Simon has no place in a 20 team NHL because he is not good enough to be in the top 400 players, we might not be having this conversation under those circumstances.

I was glad that Chris Simon hit Hollweg with his stick, if I were checked into the boards from behind I would have reacted the exact same way, I'll bet you Hollweg never checks another player from behind again!

Skiing safely downhill means that it is my responsibility to watch out for and not run into the guy ahead of me, as the guy ahead of me does not have eyes in the back of his head to watch out for me. How is a ice hockey hit from behind any different from skiing rules? Simon is right in responding in a hurtful way toward Hollweg, because Hollweg obviously wanted to hurt Simon with this cowardly hit from behind!

Some very good comments here.

Why Simon didn't just drop the gloves (as is his specialty) only he can answer. The hit on him was dirty. Get up and punch him out face to face.

I think the term "snapped" would be appropriate in this case.

Al Hooper - your comments below don't hold any water.

The hit on Naslund was not dirty - he got caught with his head down. Moore was guilty of the unwritten rule "don't hit thy superstar", but it clearly was not a dirty hit. You claim the Canucks deserved retribution - Cooke challenged Moore to a fight, and Moore obliged. That should have been the end of it. Attacking a guy from behind, as did Bertuzzi, sure doesn't deserve condoning, as you have done.

As for Simon, yes hitting from behind must be addressed by the league. As I mentioned in a previous comment, there is no room for dirty / late hits. Sure, as you put it, he "could have" been injured - coulda, shoulda, woulda does not justify giving a 2-handed chop to an opponents face.

Since you used the words "seriously injured, and lost his career" to describe what Simon MAY have faced, why are you not using the same terminolgy and rationale with Steve Moore, who has not played a game in 3 years? Your "homer" attitude is shining through, Mr. Hooper.

Anybody who even remotely suggests that Simon's reaction to Hollweg's hit was justified has serious mental deficiencies. And anybody who says that it's "just hockey" is beyond redemption. That was simply a cowardly, despicable, loathsome act perpetrated by a cowardly, despicable, loathsome person.

Simon's actions are unfortunate and unacceptable but I don't consider him a goon. We have all done or said things that we immediately regretted. I'm sure that as soon as he did it a feeling of dread washed over him. Simon, Bertuzzi and McSorley are not bad people, they made bad decisions. I don't believe any of them have intended to end anyone's career. Should Simon be suspended? Yes, the rest of the season and the playoffs. Should he be banned from the league? No

Now, Bertuzzi,Burke,Crawford and the Canucks should pay Moore 10 million plus legal fee's. With Bertuzzi paying 5 and the rest divided amongst the others. Moores hit on Naslund was clean.

Cam Jannsen should have been suspended longer, perhaps ten games for the hit on Kaberle. Well actually maybe a better penalty would be to force the devils to play him 25 minutes a game for the rest of the season. :)

Colin

When will the NHL realize the danger involved with hits from behind. Kids in both the US and Canada are not allowed to hit from behind and USA hockey has gone so far as to put STOP signs on the back of kids jerseys to remind them of this fact. I see hits like last night and am reminded of the poor kid who played for Boston college who had his neck broken and is now paralyzed for the rest of his life. Why is this type of hitting allowed at the professional level? The whole thing with Steve Moore started with a hit from behind. It's time for people to stop reacting to retaliation and start looking into why these things happen. Seriously is it going to take someone's neck getting broken or being paralyzed to get people to wake up?

Hockey is a tough sport.If you check some oneinto the boards you will pay a price.
Since the original 6 it has expanded to the point where low talent is being employed and the quality of the game has suffered.
Respect seems to be lacking and this is the main cause of these times of incidents...
Play on but play respecting others....

Sorry did not see the hit, but can't see how a hit from behind can be clean?? When Bertuzzi his Moore remember many of Moore's teammates jumped Bertuzzi so about a ton of players landed on top. Maybe it was this load that caused Moore's injuries??
One problem is the players don't play each other often enough..in the old days one would take the number of the offending player and deal with it later..now they must feel it has to be done NOW..hits from behind should be 5 minutes, head shots 5 minutes and a game. Change all the pads..they are too much like armour.
Tks Don

The NHL has made rule changes to evolve away from the hitting game and toward the skating game. However, these changes will fail until/unless they enlarge the regulation rink dimensions to at least Olympic standard. The extra space is what permits the skating game. Of course, the owners will whine that they will have to remove seats, which in many arenas aren't filled anyway--because, in part, contemporary audiences don't want to see the hitting/fighting/assaults produced, at least in part, by the nature of play necessary on a smaller rink.

If 23 games for Mc Sorely wasn't enough to get the point across, send this guy for 30. Its not up to Chris Simon to decide what's a legal check and what isn't. If Simon isn't wearing a striped shirt then he doesn't get to call penalties. If nobody called that bodycheck a penalty, then what you have is a goon who decided to take someones head off; period. Everything esle is just an excuse for inexcusable behaviour.

Speaking of inexcuseable behaviour, I'm tired of people making excuses for Bertuzzi.
1) the hit on Naslund was reviewed by the league after the game and found to not warrent further disciplary action.
2) Regardless of what the league decided, the Canucks (Mark Crawford) still sicked Matt Cooke on Moore during his first shift on the ice, Steve Moore stood up to their designated hitter and gave him the opportunity to "Teach him a lesson" turns out it was Cookie who got taught.
3) The Canucks were being humiliated in front of their home crowd 9-2 when Bertuzzi decided Moore hadn't paid enough by fighting Cooke so he would have to do it all over again. He challenged Moore - Moore said no - it was late in the game and what did he have left to prove.
4) Bertuzzi's biggest sin, (after hitting from behind) is jumping on top of Moore, which is where the crushed vertabrae came from. If you review the video, the camera angle shot head on down the length of the ice clearly shows Moore is already collapsing when Bertuzzi leaves his feet.
5) Stop saying that Betuzzi he was gone for a whole year. He was suspended for 12 games. It is the height of fuzzy logic to say he was suspended for a whole year when all the millionaires were off for that year. Exactly how many NHL games did he miss during that year.

Hockey is a great game - its certainly not going to suffer from the removal of guys like Simon, and Bertuzzi. We don't need em.

Larry

I for one am glad that this guy is suspended indefinitely. It should be no different for him than it was for Bertuzzi, or McSorely. This guy needs to be gone for the rest of the year, the post-season as well and re-evaluated as to whether or not he should be re-instated.

Much as I'm a proponent of keeping hockey a physical sport, this is stupid. A good, clean bone-shaking check is a great thing. It gets the fans moving, and it's really one of the things that's exciting about hockey. That's good, CLEAN hits.

This kind of retaliatory, cheap shot artistry is pathetic though. It shows nothing more than a hot-headed bully who needs to be yanked out of this league like a weed.

Hockey is a great game and fighting will inevitably occur. HOWEVER....... this sort of incident by SIMON against HOLLYWEG must be stopped by the NHL or hockey will gradually drift into the mindless sort of sport that professional wrestling has become. It deserves better! The NHL must properly investigate the incident and deal strictly with SIMON. From what I have seen and read about the incident I suggest that criminal charges of assault may very well be warranted. Hopefully this will be considered by someone also. One last thing - I feel hockey should be a competition of skills that don't include fighting. It seems to me that generally when one team lacks proper skills, they simply resort to fighting as an expression of their frustration. This doesn't say much for them. Something to consider!

Jeff
You're all wet, man. This is hockey, and each player is responsible for his own safety. If Hollweg had been crossing the parking lot before the game, he should have had his head up, because you never know when a Simon or Neil might leap out from behind a car and blind side you. Those guys are in the game to injure people, and that's the way the NHL wants it. How many times has Simon been suspended? Hollweg should have realized he was dealing with a vicious goon and protected himself accordingly. That's the NHL, baby - deal with it.

Jeff, Frank wasn't excusing the hit..... if you read his whole comment, you'll see that he was being sarcastic.

In my opinion, the hit was at least a bit dirty. Obviously, Simon shouldn't have reacted as he did, but just cause there wasn't a penalty doesn't mean it wasn't a dirty hit. At most, Simon should've tried to fight the guy, using his stick like that was probably the dumbest thing he could've done.

Something needs to be done to stop guys from hitting from behind like that, and if a guy knows when he's hit like that, that there will be ramifications, he's probably less likely to take justice into his own hands.

Try as I might I cannot understand why hitting that can potentially injure is allowed in hockey. One loudly delivered argument is that it is the essence of the North American game, akin to the roughness of other contact sports like rugby or Aussie football. But those sports are not played on roller skates; in hockey people become projectiles (just ask Kaberle).

It seems to me that the neaderthals in the upper echelons of the hockey world who support such play (conversely painting high calibre athletes in sports like soccer, or even simply European hockey players, as somehow gutless) ought to be taken more vigorously to task for their views - they, and not league expansion or teflon shoulder pads, are ruining the game.

Hockey is, at present, a blood sport. It needs fixing with some truly painful fines, suspensions, and outright bans. The only good thing about Bertuzzi still being allowed to play? Moore might be able to collect on his compensation.

Simply shocking.

The hit that Hollweg was from behind, but very clean at the same time. It is absolutely unacceptable for Simon to react in that manner. I know when you get checked like that you want to make your mark immediately on the other player, but do it with the puck, not with your stick to his face like swinging a baseball bat. Simon should be suspended for the remainder of the season, including the playoffs if the Islanders do take part. With this in mind, I believe to set the right example, the NHL should suspend him into next season as well. Year after year players in all sports continue to screw up and get away with it because of their celebrity status. The NHL needs to pick up its skirt and assert itself as a strict and stubborn committee, then and only then will the game become better.

While I live and breath hockey as our Canadian passion I cannot condone the kind of ' VIOLENCE ' of the play of Simon etal. The league must end this. It starts with the league. There is a reason the US market isnt enarmoured with professional hockey. This borderline goon stuff is not selling. The league needs to go one step further however. To the root cause of the problem. In both the Simon and Bertuzzi plays there was an event that led to the problem. If Steve Moore wouldnt have kneed Naslund there would be no issue, no reason to retaliate. While I would never agree with what Bertuzzi did in response, Bertuzzi wouldnt have gone after Moore if the league would have fined or suspended Moore for the knee of Naslund. In that instance Bertuzzi challenged Moore to a fight in their next meeting and Moore wouldnt go with him, so out of frustration Bertuzzi hit him. In the Simon case if Hollweg wouldnt have boarded Simon ( he also could have injured him) or at least been deterred from boarding Simon by knowing the league would impose a stiff fine or suspension for hitting Simon into the boards from behind, defenceless, then Simon wouldnt have reacted and swung his stick at Hollweg. Yes,the league needs to get tough with the Simon kind of hits. A year ending suspension is in order but to fix the REAL problem the league needs to get tough with the boarding and other threatening plays that could cause injury. Face it if Hollweg wouldnt have boarded Simon, Simon would have no reason to swing his stick at Hollweg. Get that crap out of the game and the respect of the players will come back to the game and also make the NHL more appealing to a broader market to watch. Let's get serious Mr. Campbell this time.

I am tired of the constant replays of Bertuzi's hit on Moore and the lack of the media pointing out that Moore's hit on Naslund was a dirty hit and he deserved some sort of retribution from the Canucks. Further why didn't Moore face up to Bertuzi and fight like a man. With Simon's slash we should also remember that he was checked from behind and could have been seriouly injured and lost his career in hockey. If the league is serious about getting violence out the game they would change the rules about vicious hits however they won't because fans would probably stay away from the rinks.

Frank,

To say that this is Hollweg's fault because he should have had his head up is foolishness. This wasn't a body check, this was a deliberate attempt to injure with what, in this case, was a weapon.

You cannot compare this to the Drury hit whatsoever. Drury had just played the puck off his stick, so he should expect to be hit. Hollweg threw a check, why should he expect a stick in the face?

This brings back memories of Alexander Perezhogin when he was in Hamilton. Luckily for Hollweg he didn't convulse on the ice.

This is what happens when you take the fighting out of the game.All those stupid rule changes that were made because the poor import players don't like to play a real man's game are assine.Send Bettman back to where ever he came from and go back to the OLD NHL style.This type of action will continue to happen until we change it back to North American style of hockey.Hockey is a rough contact sport and those that don't want to play it that way can go back to where ever they came from.With all the rule changes Hockey has been changed into a weak not worth going to or watching game. A garbage game made for sissies.

The hit that Hollweg was from behind, but very clean at the same time. It is absolutely unacceptable for Simon to react in that manner. I know when you get checked like that you want to make your mark immediately on the other player, but do it with the puck, not with your stick to his face like swinging a baseball bat. Simon should be suspended for the remainder of the season, including the playoffs if the Islanders do take part. With this in mind, I believe to set the right example, the NHL should suspend him into next season as well. Year after year players in all sports continue to screw up and get away with it because of their celebrity status. The NHL needs to pick up its skirt and assert itself as a strict and stubborn committee, then and only then will the game become better.

they should through all the these goons like Simon & Bertuzzi into a ring & have them beat the tar out of one another.
hopefully the NHL will make a stand and do something about this or do we need to have someone die.

Whatever happened to the progress that was made in the fall. It seems a few short months and we are right back where we were. With the exception of stick-work around the hands we have stopped calling most obstruction penalties. A perfect example is the amount of early and late hits that happen. It is no wonder the number of players that are out with injuries. In particular the suspensions for this kind of deliberate attack must be increased. Three years after the event Steve is still not back to normal and we are paying Todd to go out and do it again. Something is wrong with this picture!

Ultimately, Simon is responsible for his actions and should pay the price. But I can't help feeling that the League shares the responsibility.

The referees seem to miss flagrant penalties and players take it upon themselves to find justice. Perhaps referees should face penalties for poor performance.

The fact that fighting is tolerated by the League (by tolerated I mean minimally penalized) is a key indication to the level of acceptable violence in the game. The League always had enforcers. Bertuzzi sought vigilante justice for Moore's past behavior. This will just keep on happening until the League changes the rules and attitudes of the game.

I have been a fan of hockey for over 50 years.
During this time I have seen the NHL game of hockey grow and now I see it in its decline.

Since the the last strike between the players union and owners has taken place. Rule changes have been added to change the way the game is played.

In this NHL game of today, physical retaliation has become a paramount instrument thanks to the rule changes which the owners and its participating player personnel have agreed upon implicating.

No longer do we see a low scoring high checking defensive game.

The NHL game of today features all offence, taking away much of the rivalry which was present within the old defensive style game.

In my opinion these modern day rule changes which started to change the NHL game in the late 1970's, early 80s, and have carried over to days NHL game, have destroyed the essence of the greatest game on ice.

No more do we see the wonderful defensive games of the past which in turn added spice and essence to the the NHL game.

Two line passing, and shoot outs and players retaliating with there sticks upon another player are ruining the game.

This type of play may be ok for a large college and euro rink areas, but not for NHL Hockey.

I say bring back the skill, finesse, and the true essence of what once made the NHL game, the greatest game on ice....

Players of this modern NHL era wouldn't stand a chance against the tight checking NHL games of the past. The Brewers, Vauns, Hortons, Richards, Bellivues, Howes, Lindseys, Ables, and the many others which made the NHL game the greatest game on ice, wouldn't allow it....

Thank You.
T.Noble

Of course Hockey should get a bad rap for this. Hockey is a great game, but this kind of violence should not be tolerated. Regardless of the message it sends to kids playing the game, it can put an end to the career of the assaulted player. I personally believe that some of these acts could be taken to court. If you can get a criminal conviction for pulling this kind of stuff on the street, then why should we allow it in front of TV cameras? And for your info, Dog did do some jail time himself...

HOCKEY IS A FUNNY GAME...YOU CAN BE BEST FRIENDS,EVEN BROTHER IN LAWS AND BT ONCE YOU GET ON THE ICE YOU TURN INTO A DIFFERANT PERSON. HOCKEY IS NOT A BAD GAME AND SHOULD NOT GET A BAD RAP FROM SITUATIONS LIKE THIS. IF ANYONE HAS EVER WATCHED DOG THE BOUNTY HUNTER WELL WHY CAN THEM IDIOTS GO AROUND PRETTY MUCH BEATING PEOPLE UP AND GET AWAY WITH IT?? MAYBE THE PRESS SHOULD BACK OFF A BIT !

I love hockey. I love the fast pace and the hard hitting. It seems, however, that many players lately are trying to seriously hurt their opponents - the rencent number of baltant "head shots" and late hits are proof of this point. The NHL had beeter crack down on this garbage if it has any hope at all of improving its image in the U.S., as league officals claim.

Simon's assault on Thursday night deserves far more than a suspension for the remainder of the season. The league dropped the ball on the Bertuzzi matter - Moore is still unable to play, yet Bertuzzi got off with a slap on the wrist as far as I am concerned. the league now has the chance of taking a stand against assaults like this - and Simon needs to be made an example of. If I was in charge of handing down the suspension, Simon would be gone the rest of this year and ALL of next season. There is no place in hockey for goons like Simon - the NHL has a great opportunity to clean up things - sadly, I have a feeling they will mess this up, too.

Hollweg should have had his head up! Same reasoning as with the Drury hit. According to you "old-time" hockey guys, it's always the the fault of the person being hit, so ditto here. You should have your head up 1 second after the play, 5 seconds after the play, and in the locker room between periods, because you never know when some slow-footed goon is going to try and end your career.