Colorado D Foote leaves game

Nov 23, 2008 - 8:07 AM LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Colorado Avalanche defenseman Adam Foote left Saturday's 4-3 shootout win over the Los Angeles Kings at 6:51 of the second period after being checked awkwardly into the boards.

Foote was diagnosed with a back injury and did not return.

Foote was hit from behind by Los Angeles' John Zeiler, and his neck was bent against the boards in the right corner of his own zone. He lay motionless on the ice for several minutes before being helped to his feet and skated off under his own power.

A full-scale melee broke out, with several members of the Avalanche trying to get at Zeiler, who received a boarding major and game misconduct as well as a minor for roughing.

"I saw Foote on the ground and I kind of knew it wasn't a clean hit because he was hit from behind," Colorado right wing Ian Laperriere said. "We all jumped in there to back up our teammate."

Foote did not record a shot in just over 11 minutes of ice time. The 17-year veteran has one assist in 19 games this season.