But a third-period incident that involved wingers Todd Bertuzzi and Jarkko Ruutu, among others, will likely result in suspensions, especially for Bertuzzi. Bertuzzi was ruled by referee Terry Gregson to have left the Canucks' players bench to join an altercation in progress. If that stands, then it is accompanied by an automatic 10-game suspension.
Canuck general manager Briabn Burke and Bertuzzi are expected to discuss the matter today in a conference call with Colin Campbell, the NHL vice presidnet in charge of discipline.
Bertuzzi may also be in hot water with Campbell for a high hit -- perhaps shoulder, perhaps elbow -- that concussed Avalanche forward Ville Nieminen in the second period.
The main incident, however, occurred at 13:09 of the third when Ruutu kneed Avalanche centre Stephane Yelle. Colorado's Greg de Vries then jumped Ruutu in an act of retribution and the melee was on. Avalanche enforcer Scott Parker, who was seeking a fight all evening, began throwing punches at Ed Jovanovski at which point Bertuzzi made his entrance. Bertuzzi was assessed a game misconduct, which is the on-ice penalty for leaving the bench.
"I didn't come off the bench, I went on because Cloutier was coming off on a delayed penalty," Bertuzzi explained. "I'm not worried at all."
Canuck coach Marc Crawford offered a similar explanation.
"Bertuzzi came off because we thought their guy [de Vries] had the penalty," Crawford said. "Obviously emotions get high in these games. It's best for everybody to keep control of their emotions but it is an emotional game. These two teams, we don't like each other and we've made no bones about it. There is some history here with the playoff series last year and some rough games that we've had in the past." NHL official Frank Brown, contacted in New York Sunday, said any ruling on possible suspensions to Bertuzzi or Ruutu would come before the Canucks next game Tuesday. Avalanche coach Bob Hartley said his organization will leave it in the hands of Campbell and his staff. "We don't need to ask the league to look at this," he commented. "There was a supervisor [Bob Hall] here tonight and, I believe, that they're watching every game from Toronto. We'll trust the people who are in charge of making those decisions. The league will review everything that went on." Ruutu's kneeing of Yelle appeared needless in light of Vancouver's large four-goal lead and the lateness of the game. The Finn claimed he was merely trying to take out Yelle and there was no intent on his part. "It just happened," Ruttu said. "I didn't try to knee him or anything."
Yelle, of course, was not amused. Fortunately, he was not injured on the play. "It was a dirty hit," remarked the Avalanche forward. "I don't want to see anybody get hurt with hits to the head or knees. We need our knees to skate, that's our job. It's unfortunate there are hits like that."
Shenanigans aside, the game was a masterpiece from Vancouver's standpoint. The Canucks climbed all over the Avalanche suddenly porous back end and received goals from Harold Druken, Trent Klatt and Donald Brashear. Brendan Morrison put it away in the third.
Cloutier made 22 saves for the shutout, his first as a Canuck and the second of his career. Dan the Man has now stopped 60 of 61 shots he has faced since a mediocre outing against Detroit. He was busiest in the second period Saturday when he was peppered with 11 shots, seven coming during one extended Avalanche power play.
The appreciative sellout crowd at GM Place began chanting Cloutier's name to honour his night's work. "I've haven't really paid much attention to the fans, but obviously you want them behind you," Cloutier said. "These people pay a lot of money to watch us play and they deserve to cheer for who they like and who they dislike. It's all part of the game. We're in Canada here and they know when you're having a good night and they know when you're having a bad night. There is no where to hide out there." Cloutier had no need to hide Saturday.