Games in Denver cathartic for Bertuzzi
Canadian Press
10/30/2005 3:21:49 PM
DENVER (CP) - It was in the way he handled the puck, used his speed to blow by defencemen, his strength to stay on his skates.
Vancouver Canucks forward Todd Bertuzzi finally showed the combination of power and skill that had been lacking from his game most of this NHL season.
It was one consolation for the Canucks who lost to the Colorado Avalanche 4-3 in overtime Saturday - their second defeat in three nights to the Avs - and watched a woozy Dan Cloutier being helped off the ice in the first period after the goalie smacked his head on the goalpost during a collision with his own defenceman.
A team spokesman said Sunday that Cloutier was being evaluated and his status for Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Wild at G.M. Place was questionable.
For Bertuzzi, playing his first games in Denver since breaking bones in Steve Moore's neck with a punch from behind, were a cathartic experience. He faced the wrath of the Pepsi Center crowd who booed him relentlessly and was castigated in the Denver media.
Bertuzzi took a couple of punishing hits, especially in Thursday's 6-2 loss, but none of the Avalanche seemed interested in settling any scores.
The Canucks say the "Moore incident" is now behind them and the team won't talk about it any more.
Bertuzzi had his best game of the season Saturday and was the best Canuck on the ice. In the first period he weaved between two Avalanche players and fired a shot on net before Matt Cooke put in the rebound.
He finished the night minus-1, but had four shots and played with confidence and desire.
"Todd has really picked up his game," said linemate Markus Naslund.
"He needs a little more time than a lot of guys that did not play last year. He has a big body and that needs to get going. It's a great sign."
Bertuzzi has just two goals this year but he has recorded eight assists. If he felt any satisfaction from his performance he didn't want to talk about it. He refused to speak to the media after the game.
The Colorado crowd vented at Bertuzzi each time he stepped on the ice. There were chants of "Bertuzzi sucks" Saturday but the boos weren't as loud or as long as on Thursday night.
Only a few fans showed up wearing prison outfits.
The Canucks' anticipation of Bertuzzi re-establishing himself as one of the league's best power forwards could be tempered by concerns over Cloutier.
The Vancouver goaltender was injured on Saturday's opening goal by Andrew Brunette.
Brunette broke in on Cloutier, tucking the puck underneath him. Canuck defenceman Nolan Baumgartner, who was chasing Brunette, crashed into Cloutier, driving the goalie's head into the goalpost.
Cloutier spent several minutes on the ice on all fours before being helped to the dressing room by his teammates.
"I don't feel very good about it," said Baumgartner.
Cloutier has posted three consecutive seasons of 30 or more wins but has experienced injury problems.
Auld, who also replaced Cloutier Thursday, has played well this season. He has a 3-0-1 record and a 2.25 goals-against average.
"He's a solid goaltender," said defenceman Ed Jovanovski. "This guy is good."
The Canucks game into Denver riding a six-game unbeaten streak before losing two in a row for the first time this season.
Vancouver remains first in the Northwest Division with a 8-2-2 record. The Avs, who have won three of their last four games, are 6-4-1 and just five points back of the Canucks.
"It's not the way we wanted to finish off this trip," said Auld.
"We were hoping for more points. It was costly mistakes and giving them chances at key times that cost us."
Naslund, Vancouver's leading scorer who managed just one assist in the two games, said the Canucks showed improvement Saturday.
"I thought we worked hard," he said.
"We did good things so we have to take the positives. I'm not overly worried. You're going to end up losing games throughout the year."
Bertuzzi served a 17-month suspension for his attack on Moore. In the March 8, 2004, incident, he grabbed Moore from behind, punched him, then fell on him, driving the Harvard grad's head into the ice.
Moore is still suffering concussion-related symptoms and his hockey career remains in doubt.
Bertuzzi was charged and pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm. He received a conditional discharge.
A civil suit still looms.
Bertuzzi's attack followed an incident a couple of games earlier when Moore caught Naslund with his head down and delivered a hit that left the Vancouver captain with a concussion.
No penalty was called on that play.
Cheers,
Aquaman