During the Vancouver Canucks – Calgary Flames hockey game on Saturday night, someone in the audience pointed a laser pointer at the eyes of Calgary Flames goalie, Mikka Kiprusoff. It was clearly visible, and the CBC cameras had a perfect view of the culprit. Yet, “security” at the rink was unable to capture the individual, despite the fact he did it all game long.

Color me shocked! This behaviour is more than just outrageous, and incredibly bad sportsmanship. This is criminal behaviour! This is assault with a weapon, assault with intent to injure! It is completely unconscionable.

If you were to shine a laser pointer at an airplane, you could be charged with terrorism! Yet some players on the Canucks laughed it off! Ryan Kesler in particular was quoted as saying “good for our fans — they want to win as bad as we do.” That is almost as shocking as the goof who shone the laser. At least we understand why athletes take steroids! If they are willing to accept blinding the opposition as “doing what it takes to win,” then steroids are easily condoned.

Alex Burrows had it right when he said that it was “funny that they couldn’t find out who did it and security has to do a better job” since the integrity of the game was at stake. NOW that I can agree with!

Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo said, “the fan should be ejected.” Even banned. That too is a sentiment I can go along with. Flames coach Sutter couldn’t believe that security was unable to pinpoint who did it, especially when you consider the CBC had such a good camera view of the point of origin.

If this “fan” had damaged Kiprusoff’s eyes, causing him to have to abandon his career, the personal injury lawsuit would be in the $50 million range, merely to compensate Kipper for loss of income. (He’s a $6.5 million a year player on his current contract.) And that doesn’t even take into consideration the loss of enjoyment of life, pain, suffering etc…

I’m ashamed that GM Place, and by extension, the Canucks management has been unable to put a name to this moron. He needs to be found. He needs to be charged with assault with a weapon, at the very least. He needs to be banned from future GM Place events, and sporting events in general.

And they need to apologize to the Calgary Flames.

And it wouldn’t hurt to have a chat with the Canuck players about what constitutes good sportsmanship.