Mike Browne’s Blog

On probably the most stressful trade deadline day ever (thanks to the idiocy last night) Vancouver Canucks have made some moves. The Canucks acquired Martin Rucinsky from the Rangers, veteran defenseman Marc Bergevin from the Penguins as well as Geoff Sanderson from Columbus. As well in lower level trades the Canucks acquired knuckle dragger Sylvain Blouin from the Canadiens and Sergei Varlamov from St. Louis.

There are some ‘veteran’ (emphasis on the old) players in the mix but not the power forward the team may require to take them deep into the play-offs. What about goaltending? Didn’t we look at that? All these trades throughout the league could make for an interesting end to the season and a firey post season. We’ll see how the Canucks do…

I was so looking forward to last night’s game and after watching what transpired I wished I had never seen it. It was a horrific game in so many ways. What a disgusting display. The only bright spot of the night was Trevor Linden passing Stan Smyl for the all time scoring record by a player in a Canucks uniform with assists on the only two Canucks goals. The ever humble Linden received two standing ovations for reaching the milestone. Too bad it had to come during such an otherwise pathetic game.

After a first period that saw 5 (yes five) goals in total. The first four came on Dan Cloutier on the first 10 shots of the game and within 2 minutes! This, of course, set records of the notorious variety. After Hedberg came into tend goal he didn’t fare much better allowing a goal after only two shots.

Things had already gone awry fight-wise at that point as the frustrated Canucks began settling scores and generally being poor sports. At 8:41 of the third period one of the the most disgusting things I have ever seen during a hockey game took place. Todd Bertuzzi, who I used to cheer for, made perhaps the biggest mistake of his career. I truly felt sick watching replay after replay of what took place. Steve Moore, who had already answered the bell with Cooke (and won) for his questionable hit on Naslund weeks ago, was punched from behind by Bertuzzi. Moore, who was clearly unconscious before he hit the deck, had big Bertuzzi ride him all the way down driving his head hard into the ice face first. Making it worse were other players, Avalanche and Canucks, piling on top of the other two players. The gore was horrific. Moore did not move for 10 minutes while he received medical attention. He was taken by ambulance to Vancouver General Hospital.

It was stated on the radio that he still didn’t know who he was or where he was upon arriving at the hospital. In breaking news right now on Sportsnet’s TV news it appears that Moore has fractures of his C3 and C4 vertebrae and a broken jaw. Not good. The Broken jaw probably came from the original hit and the spinal injuries as a result of the fall to the ice.

And now the VPD is getting involved.

Canucks GM Brian Burke says Moore is going to be okay, but we’re still waiting to hear from the Avalanche. If the above is true I’m not sure what Brian Burke is smoking.

Nor are we clear on what will happen to Todd Bertuzzi, as of last night he has been suspended indefinitely (and deservedly so) pending investigation by the league. As the hit was most likely premeditated he may be suspended for the rest of the season, which is 13 games, and possibly into the first round of the play-offs.

If Bertuzzi were completely banned from the game I wouldn’t be sad. Hitting someone from behind like he did was wrong, no matter how you slice it. Whether or not Bertuzzi intended to injure Moore in the way he did, he still did and will have to suffer consequences as a result. His actions had nothing to do with bolstering his team even though in his neanderthal brain he may believe that. He may have, with one punch, dashed the hopes of his teammates and fans alike ruining any chance of the Canucks going anywhere in the play-offs. How can that help morale in their dressing room and on the ice. The Canucks will probably be booed off the ice no matter where they go for the while.

It is a dark day for Canucks fans like myself. Who cares that the team lost last night? It’s the other stuff that happened that makes me feel sick to my stomach. Just bad…

I expect the usual comments from the Leafs and Red Wings fans. Along with your usual stuff, why not try to contribute to the discussion it would be interesting to hear what other hockey fans have to say.

Actor-writer had been missing for two months

Check out Ming the Merciless. It’s pretty weird stuff, but worth a peek all the same.

A man has admitted to cutting up and selling the parts of at least 800 cadavers used in UCLA’s research department to large medical research firms.

Over a six year period Ernest Nelson went to the university’s body freezer and hacked off body parts to sell with his trusty handsaw. He collected “knees, hands, torsos and other body parts needed by his corporate clients, which he said numbered between 80 and 100.” Ugh!

After admitting to the actually doing he claims, “It was not done in secret.” He also said cryptically, upon further investigation, “my name will be cleared.”

Regardless of that, selling body parts is pretty low. Lower I think even than working in Internet sportsbetting. 😉

Episode 53 “Two Tonys”

The first episode in the NEW season was written by series creator David Chase along with Terence Winter and was directed by Tim Van Patten. A flood of organized-crime parolees change the landscape of the Soprano/Lupertazzi alliance. Janice carries on the family’s Sunday-dinner tradition; Carmela and AJ commune with local wildlife; Christopher balks at footing the bill on “goomar night”; and Tony tries to introduce Dr. Melfi to his “other” self. A highly recognizable face is added to the regular cast. Steve Buscemi will play Tony Blundetto, Tony Soprano’s newly paroled cousin who finds going straight easier said than done.

2004 – Sunday March 14 @ 8 pm Pacific on Movie Central

POST SHOW UPDATE: Awesome! I’m so glad it’s back!

The Exorcist in 30 seconds (and reenacted by bunnies)

It was a second out for Hedburg in as many tries. Not too shabby. Lots of fights, points and a little better morale after the trouncing on Friday at the hands of the Red Wings.

Full recap right here.

One word: Ugh!

I know Schlemiel. I know…