"Pucky" the Mascot Tackled at Pro Hockey Game, Say Conn. Cops

(CBS/AP) A Connecticut man was sent to the penalty box - figuratively, that is - after he accepted a dare by a friend and allegedly attacked a pro hockey team's mascot Saturday.

Police say 28-year-old Kevin O'Connell, of East Hartford, was intoxicated when he tackled and punched "Pucky" the mascot, who was greeting children at the Connecticut Whale hockey game. 

The person inside the costume was not injured.

O'Connell was charged with breach of peace after parents helped officers find him hiding in another section of the XL Center, the arena where the Connecticut Whale play.

He was released on a promise to appear Wednesday in Hartford Superior Court.

O'Connell later told the AP he had been dared to do it.

His little stunt did not go over lightly.  The XL Center says it has banned O'Connell from future events.

The Whale is a New York Rangers' minor league affiliate.