Hurricanes forward Ruutu suspended 3 games

Oct 24, 2009 - 5:55 PM NEW YORK(AP) -- Carolina Hurricanes forward Tuomo Ruutu has been suspended three games by the NHL for a boarding of Darcy Tucker that knocked the Colorado Avalanche winger unconscious.

Ruutu was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct for boarding Tucker at 5:26 of the second period of Friday night's game.

Ruutu will lose $56,067.36 in salary for the suspension, which was announced Saturday. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

Ruutu will miss games against Columbus on Saturday, St. Louis on Wednesday and Philadelphia on Oct. 31. He will be eligible to return Nov. 1 against San Jose.

Tucker was taken off the ice on a backboard. The team said he had a concussion but was alert. He was taken to a hospital early Saturday for treatment and evaluation.