Ruutu talks with Tucker, accepts suspension

Canes forward Tuomo Ruutu said today that he has called Darcy Tucker of the Colorado Avalanche and apologized for the hit from behind that left Tucker with a concussion.

Ruutu was suspended for three games by the NHL for the hit in Friday's game in Denver.

"It was a bad hit by me," Ruutu said. "I wasn't really worried about the suspension. I was worried about the guy.

"It looked pretty bad. It just happened. I think he's doing better. I'm so sorry about what happened but everything happened so quickly.

"I wish I could get it back but I can't."

Tucker went face-first into the glass. Knocked unconscious, he was removed from the ice on a backboard and taken to a hospital for treatment and for stitches. He was released from the hospital on Saturday, but his return to action is uncertain.

"I'm happy that nothing really serious happened," Ruutu said. "I talked to him and I was glad to hear that he was doing better. He was really good to me and that makes me feel a little better."

Ruutu said the suspension did not surprise him, that he sensed the league would "send a message."

"It is what it is," he said. "They make the decision and I'm fine with it."

Ruutu noted that it was his first suspension, and also said the result of the big hit would not change his style of play. He's always been a physical player who finishes hie checks and will continue to be that kind of player, he said.

"I think that's why I'm in the NHL ... and not playing somewhere in Europe," Ruutu said. "That's the way i play. I mean, it just happened quickly.

"I'll just try to move on and be a little more careful in the future."

Added Canes coach Paul Maurice: "He can't come off it. It's a big part of what he does."