Cormier's punishment fit crime, why pile on?

Hockey Betting Lines

05/12/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Physicality and borderline dirty plays have always been parts of hockey - and probably always will be.

Some argue that's what makes the game great.

Others contend the game is about speed and skill, and the 'goonish' element needs to go.

No matter what side of the fence you're on, the scene at a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League game early this year that saw an 18-year-old convulsing on the ice after taking a blatant elbow to the face from an opponent was enough to make you sick.

The scene in question occurred in January when forward Patrice Cormier elbowed defenseman Mikael Tam, who was hospitalized with brain trauma and damage to several teeth after the hit. Tam eventually returned to junior hockey this season, but Cormier did not after being suspended for the remainder of the season and playoffs.

Cormier did return to ice hockey in the American League after his junior team's season ended, playing nine games for the Chicago Wolves, who were eliminated from the Calder Cup playoffs on Tuesday night by the Texas Stars.

But the story doesn't end there.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder, currently an NHL prospect in the Atlanta Thrashers organization, faces an assault charge in Canadian Court stemming from the on-ice incident, a charge that was made official just hours before the game-seven matchup with the Stars. The 19-year-old now faces up to 18 months in jail if convicted.

There is precedent for this type of criminal charge in Canada.

Todd Bertuzzi, then with the Vancouver Canucks, was suspended for 17 months by the NHL after a blindside sucker punch to the head of former Colorado Avalanche forward Steve Moore in 2004. Moore suffered three broken vertebra in his neck and a high grade concussion, ending his hockey career.

Bertuzzi was charged in Vancouver, resulting in a guilty plea, one year of probation, and 80 hours of community service.

The difference in Cormier's case is the age of the combatants and the severity of the injuries. The Bertuzzi/Moore incident was between two professionals in their 20s, one of whom could not return to the ice. The Cormier/Tam incident was between two amateurs in their teens, and Tam was able to return to action this season, actually serving his own suspension for an illegal hit.

"The incident itself, I really don't talk about it a lot," Cormier told The Sportsbook Betting Lines last week. "It's in the past. It happened, it was a mistake. Anyone who knows me knows that I never meant for it to happen. I was going to finish my hit and I maybe went a little too far. That's just the way I play. I'm not dirty, but I finish my hits, and if I want to be successful in hockey, that's one thing I need to keep doing."

While some argue he shouldn't have been allowed to play in the AHL this season, others contend he served his suspension and paid a steep price for his "crime" already.

"I don't think anybody [in the AHL] has any real negative feelings about him," Chicago Wolves GM Wendell Young told The Sportsbook Betting Lines last week. "He paid the price. He was suspended and missed a lot of hockey this past year because of the incident."

Cormier doesn't seem to have a black mark in NHL front offices either, as the Thrashers made him part of the bounty they acquired from the New Jersey Devils in the blockbuster Ilya Kovalchuk deal on Feb. 4. Further dispelling any character issues is the fact that Cormier was the captain of Canada's silver medal winning World Junior team in 2010.

Now, the debate: should Cormier have to face a criminal charge for an on-ice incident?

Those who know hockey acknowledge that these incidents happen; sometimes players go too far. Is charging players involved in these type of incidents with crimes the answer, or is a lengthy suspension from the sport they love enough? Judging from Cormier's recent comments to The Sportsbook Betting Lines, the latter holds true in this case.

"I have learned that you have to be careful out there," he said. "You have seen many times this year that guys have been taking hits to the head and it's pretty dangerous. When it happens to you, when you hit a guy, you learn to be a little more careful, for sure."

"The one good thing for me was seeing Michael Tam returning to hockey this year," Cormier said. "When he was all right and played, everything was done for me. The main thing for me was him returning healthy and 100 percent.

"Now I'm back playing hockey and it's all behind me. A lot of people learned from this, but now it's behind us and we're stronger and we're going to move forward."

Seems like the lesson was learned, but that's up to the bureaucrats to decide when Cormier is due in court on July 12.

Wwwincruit Hockey Betting News

<< Prokhorov, Nets make it official
East Rutherford, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Mikhail Prokhorov is officially the principal owner of the New Jersey Nets, as Onexim Sports and Entertainment Holding USA, Inc., Forest City Ratner Companies and Nets Sports and Enterta

<< Super Saver versus 11 in 135th Preakness Stakes
Baltimore, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver will take on 11 challengers in Saturday's $1 million Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. The 1 3/16-mile race is the second jewel in racing's Triple Crown. Unlike

<< Twins activate P Mijares from DL, option C Ramos
Minneapolis, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Minnesota Twins activated left-handed pitcher Jose Mijares from the 15-day disabled list and optioned catcher Wilson Ramos to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday. Mijares, who has been struggling with

<< Bucs' Cadillac Williams signs tender offer
Tampa, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Cadillac Williams signed his one-year tender offer on Wednesday. The oft-injured Williams was Tampa Bay's leading rusher in 2009, running for 823 yards and four touchdo

<< Orioles make several roster moves
Baltimore, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Baltimore Orioles made several roster moves on Wednesday, among them optioning outfielder Nolan Reimold to Triple-A Norfolk. After batting .279 with 15 home runs in 104 games during his rookie camp

Swiss upset Canada, USA loses again at Worlds >>
Mannheim, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ivo Reuthemann, Thomas Deruns and Martin Pluss each registered a goal and two assists, as Switzerland put to rest 76 years of frustration at the hands of Canada with a 4-1 victory Wednesd

Nationals' Marquis expects to go under the knife >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jason Marquis, Washington's biggest acquisition in the offseason, indicated on Wednesday he is expecting to undergo surgery on his right elbow in the near future. Marquis, who was 0-3 with a

Olivo's HR in 10th lifts Rox over Phils in twinbill opener >>
Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Miguel Olivo crushed the first pitch he saw in the 10th inning into the left field seats, giving the Colorado Rockies a 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in the first game of a day-night doubleh

Diamondbacks make change in bullpen >>
Phoenix, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Arizona Diamondbacks recalled right- handed reliever Carlos Rosa from Reno and optioned reliever Daniel Stange to their Triple-A affiliate. Rosa, acquired from the Royals in exchange for minor

Royals recall Wood, designate Rupe >>
Kansas City, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Kansas City Royals on Wednesday recalled pitcher Blake Wood from Triple-A Omaha and designated pitcher Josh Rupe for assignment. Rupe was 1-1 with a 5.59 earned-run average in 11 appearances

American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6  

The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.

Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com.  "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.

It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis.  It's like Week 1 of the NFL.  Pre-season means nada!

We do know the 24 finalists however.

Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24.  He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway.  He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien. 

Brandon Rogers - Who?

Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition.  He should go a good distance.

Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was.  And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition.  He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice!  People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way. 

"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks.  He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes.  But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.

A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”

Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes. 

"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate.  "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past.  He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far.  Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."

Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts) 

And the others:

Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter

The girls

"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis.  "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has.  The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive.  I think she will go far."

Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.

"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams.  Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth.  "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.

Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.

Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.

Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan

MySportsbook.com is offering a 20% signup bonus with an initial deposit (i.e. open your American Idol betting account with $300, receive another $60 in which to bet with). 

Last two contestants will be?

1 Male/1 Female +100 (a $10 bet pays $10 plus your initial $10)

2 Males +170 (a $10 bet pays $17 plus your initial $17)

2 Females +130 (a $10 bet pays $13 plus your initial $10)

MySportsbook.com is an online sportsbook accepts Visa Credit Cards and online sportsbook accepts Mastercard Credit Cards for easy American Idol betting lines.