An intoxicated Connecticut Whale fan has been banned from the XL Center after he allegedly tackled and punched "Pucky the Whale" in the stands during a game Saturday night, police said.

Kevin O'Connell, a 28-year-old from East Hartford, told police he attacked "Pucky," the mascot for the local hockey team, over a bet. He was arrested and charged with one count of second-degree breach of peace.

He was released on a promise to appear Feb. 2 in Superior Court in Hartford.

"While there was substantial potential that the individual inside the 'Pucky the Whale' costume and/or fans could have been injured during the incident, no one was seriously injured," police said.

Management at the XL Center said O'Connell will be banned from attending future events at the downtown facility.

Pucky was greeting young fans in the stands near section 105 Saturday night when O'Connell tackled and punched the whale, police said.

Dozens of upset parents who witnessed the attack helped Hartford police officer John Zweibelson and XL Center personnel find O'Connell, who was hiding in section 206.

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