Published March 10, 2011

Bruins bruiser and captain Zdeno Chara drove a Montreal Canadiens player head-first into the boards during their game Tuesday night, horrifying hockey fans.

The hit left Max Pacioretty with a broken vertebra and a severe concussion.

Though the NHL decided not to suspend or fine the Bruins defenseman, Montreal police have started a criminal investigation into the hit, the AP reports today. Investigators will collect evidence and then determine whether or not to bring charges in the case.

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Pacioretty, who is from Connecticut, was taken from the ice in the stretcher, but has full use of his extremities and has been speaking with reporters.

Many Montreal fans were understandably outraged by the hit and some even called 911 to “report” the violence, according to the Montreal Gazette.