Fight breaks hockey player's neck

Hockey is not for the faint-hearted. But even the game's most robust fans were shocked when a fight between players left one of them lying in a pool of blood, his neck broken.

The player responsible, Todd Bertuzzi of the Vancouver Canucks, broke down in tears at an emotional press conference in which he apologised to Colorado's Steve Moore.

"Steve, I just want to apologise for what happened out there. I had no intention of hurting you," he said. "I feel awful for what transpired.

"To the game of hockey and the fans of Vancouver, for the kids that watch this game, I am truly sorry. I don't play the game that way. I'm not mean-spirited and I'm sorry for what happened."

By any standards it was a brutal tackle. During Colorado's 9-2 victory over Vancouver, Bertuzzi hit Moore from behind in the side of the head, driving his head onto the ice. Moore landed face-first, with 17-stone Bertuzzi on top of him, and lay in a pool of blood for several minutes before being carried off.

He sustained concussion, deep cuts and a broken jaw and will be off for the rest of the season with a broken neck.

Bertuzzi faces a lengthy suspension from the game. His punch appeared to be in retaliation for a blow by Moore on the captain of the Canucks, Mike Naslind, which left him injured for three games. Vancouver players had vowed to get even. Police have not ruled out charging Bertuzzi with assault.

One fan said: "It was appalling. He landed awkwardly and was crushed by Bertuzzi. He looked lifeless for a good 10 minutes." The attack has been condemned by coaches and players. Detroit Red Wings coach Dave Lewis said: "There is no room for that in hockey."