ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Carolina Hurricanes forward Tuomo Ruutu has been suspended for three games by the NHL for his hit on Darcy Tucker of the Colorado Avalanche in Friday's game in Denver, coach Paul Maurice said today.
Ruutu hit Tucker from behind early in the second period of the Avs' 5-4 win, causing Tucker to bang his head into the glass. He received a five-minute boarding major penalty and game misconduct.
Tucker was knocked unconscious. He was removed from the ice on a backboard, but regained consciousness and was taken to a Denver hospital.
The play was reviewed by the league and the suspension handed down this morning. Under terms of the CBA, Ruutu will forfeit $59,067.36, which will go to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.
Maurice said the team has called up Brandon Sutter from the Albany River Rats of the AHL, the team's top minor-league affiliate. Sutter is expected to center the third line tonight against the Minnesota Wild.
"We're disappointed that we're going to lose an important player for three games," Maurice said today. "The league has a process, they have to go through it. We respect their decision.
"And, nobody ever likes to see a player get injured. We hope the best for Darcy Tucker and hope he has a speedy recovery."
Asked if he believed the hit warrented a suspension, Maurice said: "That's an excellent question. I think the league makes its decision and we all abide by it, regardless of our opinion.
"There were things not present in the hit that I'm glad weren't: he didn't leave his feet, it wasn't an elbow, Darcy wasn't four feet off the boards where it could have been a real catastrophic event. He was right on the boards.
"It was a very, very hard hit that had an unfortunate result. But I expect Tuomo to finish that check."
The Hurricanes now are missing Ruutu and forward Erik Cole, who is out with a leg fracture and has been placed on injured reserve. Defenseman Tim Gleason missed Friday's game with an upper body injury and is not expected to play tonight.
In the 2005-2006 season, Cole suffered a broken neck when hit from behind by Brooks Orpik of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Orpik received a three-game suspension.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at
Comments
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Careful indeed
Sun, 10/25/2009 - 22:40 — Biff_BeersThe Canes have complained about penalties (or lack thereof) for hits that cause head injury in that past so I think they can't complain about this suspension no matter what you think of the hit.
They can certainly complain
Mon, 10/26/2009 - 00:00 — richardfocThey can certainly complain that Mike Richards didn't get suspended even though Ruutu did. All they, and we, ask is that the league be consistent in the application of discipline. Obviously that is not going to happen.
Booth Hit
Sun, 10/25/2009 - 20:26 — hockey101Why isn't Mike Richards suspended for the hit on David Booth, but yet the league suspends Ruutu for three games. If I was JR, I would be asking the league that question.
it will be interesting..
Sat, 10/24/2009 - 23:44 — louis12580to see what the league does to Mike Richards after his borderline shot to David Booth's head during tonight's game. Booth was taken off on a stretcher. Richard's was given a 5 minute major and a game misconduct for the hit. My guess is a fine and nothing more. Hopefully my guess is wrong. If not, this just further illustrates the uneven discipline doled out. Ovechkin gets a fine for another borderline play and the league said it was because he doesn't fall under the "repeat offender" policy. Joke!
It's a Funny thing...
Sat, 10/24/2009 - 17:04 — CanesAreBoring...the hypocrisy that oozes when a Cane delivers a cheap shot. The Candy Canes all try to come up with excuses as to why this hit was not bad. However, if an opposing player even looks wrong at a Cane, then he is automatically labeled a goon.
Bottom line is the hit probably wasn't boarding or intent to injure, it was a CHEAP SHOT! A lesson for all u couch potatoes: Ruutu had the Tucker in a very vulnerable spot and finishing this check as old moe said was not even close to being necessary. The flippn puck was already cycled to the corner. He would have been better off getting back into position. It's sad to see Ruutu used as a goon when he has soo much hockey talent.
Suspension No!!
Sat, 10/24/2009 - 14:56 — hockey101The hit on Darcy Tucker was legit. How are you suppose to stop so quick. Clean hit. Ruutu should be fined, but able to play. If the league is going to crack down on this what about the way Alex Ovi. hits. Watch him. He leaps and then hits. Why isn't the league going after him since this has been going on for a while.
Ruutu Hit
Sat, 10/24/2009 - 15:05 — abramsdougI watched the hit several times on YouTube. If that hit warrants a three game suspension, then the NHL is going to be suspending players at an amazing rate. As long as the rules are interpreted consistently and applied consistently, it is fine with me. I think the NHL officiating has interpreted previously the type as good hard-hitting hockey. At most, the hit in the past was hitting from behind. I have seen LaRose, Whitney, or Ruutu hammered into the boards without the hint of a call; so why the sudden change of interpretation?
???
Sat, 10/24/2009 - 14:42 — WAStoutA very, very hard hit??? Even my wife was wondering how he was suspended/fined for that hit and she does not watch hockey!!! Skates never left the ice and he sure wasn't going that fast. Tucker's face/neck was at a bad angle.
Yes. Rutuu should not of done that - but come on.
canes are boring
Sat, 10/24/2009 - 13:36 — greg_98your opinion is whack to say the least
I never expect you...
Sat, 10/24/2009 - 16:55 — CanesAreBoring...or the rest of you Candy Canes to relate to opinions about hockey.
Hmm...
Sat, 10/24/2009 - 17:53 — richardfocI wish I knew which hockey team CAB is a fan of so I could go to their blog and post know-nothing comments about them.
Be Careful for what you wish for...
Sat, 10/24/2009 - 12:58 — CanesAreBoringThe Canes are trying to enter into the fray of physical play, yet they do not have the roster to match that style. JR barely tweaked the roster this season for some size and some grit, yet the team is nowhere near the type of roster needed for a hard physical hockey game.
The result is absolute cheap shots from the likes of Ruutu and Staal, where the Canes would be better served if these players skated rather than hit.
The Canes are having a shaky start this season, because they aren't sure what type of team they are: A physical hard nose team or a non physical puck pursuit team. Hence the inconsistencies in the game. But rest assured, when these Candy Canes realize the soul of this team resides in non-physical puck pursuit, the Canes will begin to win games and I and the rest of the NHL fans can get back to being bored of them.
Ruutu's hit was nothing short of being a cheap shot [regardless of Tucker's past], and Staal...ha..what a baby. These two better be careful or they will have a big target on their backs!
CanesAreBoring is right!
Sat, 10/24/2009 - 13:32 — AN0NYM0USI was wishing CAB would get a life and stop the posts. No such luck--I need to be more careful in what I wish for....
Actually...
Sat, 10/24/2009 - 17:06 — CanesAreBoring...my life has been very busy, that is why I haven't posted here in a long time. I guess we can't say the same for you..hmmm?
You post like what? Every other day?
I guess
Sat, 10/24/2009 - 17:17 — AN0NYM0USMath isn't your thing either. Hockey, math, what else do you know nothing about except the art of ridicule? Please get back to your busy life....sooner the better.
3 games huh ?
Sun, 10/25/2009 - 11:33 — esteban1949I don't doubt that Ruutu feels bad as and while he has been a sold and hard hitting player...but he never has shown anywhere that he plays like the Avery of old as in dirty and trashy as in pass the foil boys type of mentality...And as good as Brandon is...those will be tough skates to fill until Nov.4th when the Canes will be in San Jose...Things like this sadly will happen as accidents and etc, do happen. Any word yet on Tuckers condition ? Thanks for all you do Chip !! Go Canes !!