#44 returns and brings a gaggle of assholes with him
Nov 26th, 2007 | By Mike | Category: Uncategorized
I’ve laid out my thoughts already, but I’ll add some more.
I like Todd Bertuzzi, always have. Sue me. I like Todd even though he’s no longer a player on the team I root for. I like him because, when he’s on top of his game, he’s unstoppable.
My fondness for the guy came at a very distinct moment in a very distinct game. It was way back in March of 2002, before the lockout that would stop the Rangers from doing what they loved best: buying up every player possible. Just a few days before the March 19th game against the Rangers at MSG, they went ahead and snagged Pavel Bure from the Panthers. So I had to watch, in person, the guy who made me start loving the Canucks (Bure) play on the team I hate the most (Rangers) and the only guy who made the transition a bit easier on the stomach was Todd Bertuzzi who notched his second career hat trick at the time and single handily beat the Rangers. I remember that third goal because every curse word in my vocabulary tried to leave my mouth all at once (yup, that’s how I celebrate), but that’s when Todd became Todd to me.
Sadly, Bertuzzi may never get back to that level again. A terrible year with injuries last year, he started this year with a concussion and just made it back to the lineup last week. It’s possible (likely?) that Bertuzzi may have a few more injury-filled years left to play before he calls it a day.
I hope the fans give him some praise tomorrow and remember what he did during his time in Vancouver:
- He could score. A lot. Even the Malik.
- He could hit, hammer and punish others. Jackman knows.
- Likely the key member of the now-dead West Coast Express, a line that produced 718 points in three seasons together.
- He loved his teammates, even if it was strange.
- The unwitting subject of one of the worst songs ever produced.
And since Dan Cloutier will likely never see the harsh light of the NHL again, this is about a big a homecoming as it’ll get for this team right now. So give Todd a warm welcome and then, once the puck drops, boo the hell out of this Anaheim squad and never forget Rob Neidermeyer’s elbow that helped end this team’s run in the post season. (If you need some more laughs, Earl Sleek has ya covered.)
Bold Prediction: Canucks win 4-2. Sedins and Markus go wild and we have a Pyatt making an appearance
November 26th, 2007 10:19 pm
Yep, I feel the same way. He was probably the biggest reason I fell in love with the Canucks, and I was cheering for them before he became a major force! He definitely was the single most exciting player to watch in the early 00s, particularly as a Canucks fan.
But as I state on my blog, I’m pretty certain that it’s for the best if Bert doesn’t make that kind of ruckus anymore, for his sake. He posted two assists in his return for the Ducks, and he was barely mentioned. If he can make a career out of quietly aiding along his team, he might just be able to get back to enjoying the game.
The media monkeys won’t ever stop beating up on Bert as long as he’s not as good as or better than he was back then. And that’s not going to happen, barring a miracle. So it’s time that we fans resigned ourselves to accepting Bertuzzi as a part of the more defensive Ducks, and as a second-line forward, not a first. It’s for the better, from his perspective!
November 27th, 2007 7:35 pm
He likely will never get back to those 80 pt seasons; ironic that such a bruising guy is now becoming increasingly more brittle as a player. But he can still turn the course of a game and as long as he’s a big guy who can do that, he’ll get his 3-4 million a year. It’s a shame it’s as a Duck though….ugh.
November 27th, 2007 10:43 pm
1st period was the usual. 2nd period was a powerplay fest. 3rd period was Luongo’s shutout!
Oh and well your prediction was partially correct.
November 27th, 2007 11:11 pm
With all this Bertuzzi talk I forgot about the Pronger hate! great game, ducks totally lost their composure.
November 27th, 2007 11:17 pm
My score was off, but the title of the post was accurate.
I think it’’s Pronger’s calling to be hated no matter what he does.