I've played hockey since I was eight, so I can tell you just from the amateur level that things get pretty intense out there sometimes. I've had coaches tell me to takes so and so's head off if he gets too rough. That doesn't mean you do it, but the mentaility was there. And some kids go out there just to see who they can maim. Some of these kids get drafted too =P

What happened with Bertuzzi was partial accident. I have no problem with him smacking the guy in the back of the head...players do that all the time. But the ensuing freefall pile drive into the ice has to be punished. I don't think Bertuzzi meant to do that, but what he meant to do doesn't matter. It happened. It's horrible...so something needs to be done.

As far as violence...hockey's a violent sport. I won't deny I've given some guys chops to the backs of the legs where I didn't care if I hamstrung them or not. I'm not proud of that, but when you play against assholes in a poorly refereed game, you have to defend yourself.