Ice Hockey: Fans rally around Bertuzzi

Several hundred Vancouver Canucks fans held a rally Saturday night in support of forward Todd Bertuzzi, suspended for the season and the playoffs for his blindside punch against Colorado's Steve Moore.

The group, numbering between 300 and 500 people, marched around the Canucks' home arena and up several blocks to listen to speakers. T-shirts reading "Free Bert" were snatched up quickly.

"All these people out here just want him to know that we still love him," said Susan Hickey, who held up a banner that read "In Todd We Trust.""He's still our Todd Bertuzzi, and we still want him on our team next year," she saidThe crowd also chanted, "Get well, Moore."

Many signed a petition with the hope that the NHL will reconsider its suspension. Bertuzzi will have to apply to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman for reinstatement before he can return next season.

He was suspended for at least 13 regular-season games and all of the playoffs for punching Moore in a game Monday night, leaving Moore hospitalized with two fractured vertebrae in his neck, a concussion and a deep cut on his face.