Tuomo Ruutu Gets Three Games For Head Shot

More than 48 hours after watching the horrifying event unfold I still can’t get the ugly picture of Colorado Avalanche forward Darcy Tucker lying motionless in his own blood out of my mind. Being a die hard Toronto Maple Leafs fan perhaps I’m being a little biased in saying that Tucker who is a former Leaf has played a significant role in the Avalanche getting off to a surprising 8-1-2 start that has them sitting atop the Western Conference. Coming off a forgettable campaign with the Avs’ Tucker who has scored six points in 10 games this season was the victim of a careless act on Friday night courtesy of Carolina Hurricanes forward Tuomo Ruutu. During the second period of a game the Avs would go on to win 5-4 Tucker who was thundered face first into the boards by Ruutu fell backwards and violently struck his head on the ice before losing consciousness. Tucker who was chasing down a lose puck in the Hurricanes end when hit remained on the ice for five minutes while Avalanche doctors and other medical doctors were examining him. Once he was fitted with a neck brace and onto a backboard Tucker regained consciousness. The good news for the soon to be 35 year-old is that a CT Scan revealed no damage except for a concussion. Tucker who needed 40 stitches to close an ugly gash from crashing to the ice will be out of action for an indefinite period of time while Ruutu begins serving his suspension that will end on Sunday November 1 when the Canes play the San Jose Sharks. Ruutu who isn’t known for playing dirty will have to pay a $59,067.36 penalty.