Vancouver fans are still buzzing about the incident in which Canucks coach Marc Crawford temporarily sat the All-Star winger during Saturday's 2-2 draw with the Calgary Flames.
Betuzzi, who was riding a 12-game point-scoring streak, was benched after being issued a triple-minor for roughing and unsportsmanlike conduct midway through the second period.
During the final penalty, Calgary star Jarome Iginla counted for the Flames, sending Bertuzzi from the penalty box to the bench.
Canucks forward Todd Bertuzzi had his 12-game point-scoring streak snapped on Saturday night. (CP Photo)
Crawford replaced Bertuzzi with veteran Trent Klatt on the team's top unit for the rest of the period. The All-Star forward, who returned in the third but had his points string snapped, was not happy with the decision.
"I was embarrassed, absolutely embarrassed," Bertuzzi said Saturday. "Go ask [Crawford] why he did it. I'm not happy about it."
Coach Crawford defended the benching, saying his top power forward mishandled the situation.
Bertuzzi and Crawford met Sunday to discuss the incident, and following Monday's practice, both said the situation is water under the bridge.
"He let me know what he thought," Bertuzzi told the Vancouver Sun of his chat with Crawford. "I let him know what I thought. I don't need him to come to me to explain any reasons. I just go out ... and play for my teammates.
Crawford summed it up this way. "Todd Bertuzzi is one of our best players; we need him to play. I understand that. I haven't done it [benching] all year. I don't expect him to be pleased about it. I'm not really pleased to do it. Because of who he is, it gets to be a bigger deal."
While fans of the team continue to discuss and debate the Bertuzzi benching, for Canuck players and coaches, the issue is a done deal. They're main concern is staying atop the Northwest Division standings, beginning with their date in Detroit.
Vancouver leads the Northwest with 75 points, four more than the surging Colorado Avalanche. The Canucks enter Tuesday's affair riding a nine-game unbeaten streak (5-0-4) and with the NHL's Player of the Week, Dan Cloutier.
The club's No. 1 netminder was awarded for another fantastic week Monday after leading the Canucks to a 2-0-1 mark, while posting a 1.28 goals-against average and .952 save percentage last week.
The Red Wings sit four points behind the St. Louis Blues for the Central Division lead. The Wings are also streaking of late, winning three straight. Their latest victory came in Saturday's 6-2 pounding of the Atlanta Thrashers.
Joseph will get the start against Vancouver, despite his recent difficulties against the Canucks. The Wings' goaltender allowed four goals on 18 shots in a 4-1 loss to Vancouver on Nov. 22 and another four on 34 shots in a 4-1 Jan. 19 defeat.
Vancouver has taken two of its last three matchups against Detroit, but is just 3-17-4 over the last 24 meetings. The Canucks have also had difficulty winning at Joe Louis Arena in recent years, earning just one victory in their last 11 tries.
with files from Sports Network and the Vancouver Sun
