DENVER - Colorado Avalanche left wing Darcy Tucker was taken to a hospital with a concussion after taking a hit from the Carolina Hurricanes' Tuomo Ruutu at 5:26 of the second period in Friday night's game at the Pepsi Center.
The Avalanche reported that Tucker, who was knocked out by the hit, had regained consciousness and was fully alert.
"We know he suffered a concussion," coach Joe Sacco said after the Avs' 5-4 victory. "He was alert and he was moving, so those are positive signs.
Ruutu was assessed a major penalty for boarding and a game misconduct.
"It was a hit from behind and they called a five-minute boarding penalty, and that's what it was," Sacco said. "It's unfortunate. Darcy's been playing very well for us. We hope he's going to be fine and then we hope we get him back as soon as we can."
Tucker fell on his back and lay on the ice for several minutes before he was immobilized on a stretcher board and taken by ambulance to the hospital. He was able to move his right arm as he was taken off.
"The League will take care of it," said Carolina coach Paul Maurice, who coached Tucker in Toronto. "I'm a huge Darcy Tucker supporter, so I hope he's OK."
Colorado's Adam Foote was given a minor for roughing, leaving Colorado with a three-minute power play. Milan Hedjuk scored with 26 seconds left in the man advantage to give Colorado a 3-2 lead.
"Ruutu's got a history," said Foote, the Avs' captain. "He hits late, he hits from behind. So I felt like it was probably dirty if your guy is laying there."
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