Gold Medal 1972,Canadian A Mens

More and more, it is obvious that neither side is right in thebattle between Ontario opportunist Jim Balsillie and the Gary Bettmanfiefdom known as the National Hockey League. Media wretches and other members of the public are often assured that Balsillie is a smart man.

Maybe so, but he conducted himself like a dummy in this case.

Having already offended Bettman with his actions in trying to grab theNashville and Pittsburgh franchises a few years back -- remember himtalking about season-ticket sales and other inner matters long beforehis bids had been properly assessed? --Balsillie should have learnedsome rules of procedure.

Instead, he tried what football fans might call an end run and was flattened a long way short of a first down.

From the outside, it's easy to understand why Bettman was, and is,offended. Any leader worth his weight in brown sugar would have reactedwith equal anger.

fctAdTag("bigbox",MyGenericTagVar,1); Whether or not you like the tiny, perfect NHL boss, itmust be recognized that his intellect is top-level. But brain-power andgood judgment are not automatic co-pilots.

Bettman deserves all the criticism he ever received forputting franchises into markets with no proven interest in Canada'sgame, and even more for continuing to insist they should -- no, must--remain in no-win situations such as Atlanta, Tampa Bay and otherplaces.

Including Phoenix.

Bettman's objectivity is gone. Balsillie's methods have been sneaky.

These two guys, and allies in both misguided camps, deserve each other.

Hockey fans deserve better.