Todd Bertuzzi of the Vancouver Canucks

Todd Bertuzzi of the Vancouver Canucks

Are there any Hockey fans out there. I am a "little" big fan. The Vancouver Canucks are my NHL team, the Kelowna Rockets are my Major junior team.

I am not sure if it is blind loyalty or not but I think Bertuzzi has been poorly treated in the media. He came back to play in a charity game in Vancouver a few days ago. 17,000 fans gave him two rousing standing ovations.

Today we learned Todd Bertuzzi of the Vancouver Canucks may not have to face a trial on criminal charges because his lawyers are close to reaching a plea bargain, says the Vancouver Province.

Sources close to the discussions say the two sides have almost reached an agreement. It's likely that a plea bargain would include a reduction in sentence for Bertuzzi.

Todd was charged with assault causing bodily harm linked to the Colorado Avalanche's Steve Moore during a game on March 8. The case is scheduled to be in court on Jan. 17.

Bertuzzi's agent Pat Morris told CTV.ca "Our approach through this whole process has been to keep matters between Todd, his lawyer and myself involving the criminial case private," Morris said. "We will continue to be consistent in that position."

Bertuzzi is still suspended. He was supposed to meet with Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner at the beginning of training camp for the 2004-05 season.

Hockey is a rough game. Todd Bertuzzi made a mistake when he hit Moore from the side. It has to be made clear here though, Todd Bertuzzi did not intend to injure the Colorado player to the extent he was injured. In fact in can be argued that it was the resulting pileup on top of Bertuzzi and Moore that resulted in the serious injury to Moore.

It leaves you to wonder in a nothing game,(the Canucks were behind 4 goals in third period) why the Colorado coach sent Moore on to the ice. Moore was the player that elbowed Naslund in the head, knocking him out of the lineup for three games and even then Naslund was off for sometime. The league did nothing, no penaldy, no action when a nobody from Colorado put one of the leagues top three players for the last three years in a row, out of action.

Another message, Bettman sign a deal with the players. You may have some points to make about cost, but lets face it. Owners, not players created the mess. I don't really care if a player is making millions or not, my [point is the NHL has shafted so many players over the years, perhaps it is time you paid a price.