BATTERED and bruised Marc Levers is waiting on an Elite League inquiry before making a decision on whether to take private action against Hull Stingrays' Canadian winger Rick Kozak.

The Nottingham Panthers' forward, 27, may need plastic surgery after he suffered a nasty gash to the forehead – needing 25 stitches – when the sides met at the National Ice Centre last weekend.

The 6ft 3ins Kozak – who appeared to pound the back of Levers' head as he lay on the ice – was immediately given a 'match' penalty for the offence and will be automatically suspended.

Click here to listen to Corey Neilson

The league may also take further action on the player for 'travesty of the game' after he angrily kicked the pool of blood left by Levers as he skated off the ice.

After a weekend when Sheffield are also seeking a lengthy ban on Cardiff's controversial enforcer Brad Voth, the league were today set to announce their decisions.

Levers, however, is still shocked by the unprovoked attack and hasn't trained since, despite wanting to play on at the time.

"My head is in a mess," he said. "The base of the skull and my back still aches. The team doctor [Julian McGlashan] did a good job stitching the cut but I will see a plastic surgeon soon to see if it needs tidying up."

Levers hopes the league takes action to stop such incidents.

He said: "I know these new guys to the league want to make a name for themselves but I'm not a fighter and I'm not going to tussle with a fighter.

"But let's see what the league does. They have to let these people know they can't get away with it.

"Hockey is a tough enough game as it is but I want to play without worrying about someone trying to inflict serious injury."

The incident occurred in the opening ten minutes of a bad-tempered game when a scuffle broke out.

As the players paired off, as they do in such cases to prevent either joining the main fracas, Kozak pulled off Levers' helmet.

Levers said: "He got hold of me and seemed to pin my arms before ripping off my helmet.

"There was no way I was going to stand up to fight him so as I went down to protect myself, he punched me in the back of the head which hit the ice.

"I lay still and didn't know what was happening until I saw all the blood on the ice and though I'd better get off quickly."

Panthers player-coach Corey Neilson praised his players for standing up to Hull's aggression and going on to win the game 6-2. He said: "Hull have put a product together of power forwards, who can hit, fight and play aggressively.

"That's ok in the context of hockey but some of the things that happened on the ice, like kicking the blood after Marc's injury, wasn't from a quality professional.

"Kozak's actions showed no respect to the club, the player or to us. But we stood up to them and didn't back down.

"We win points because we're good; we attack because we're good and we will never drop in intensity, no matter what is in front of us.

"We are also going to compete because we've got high goals and we are going to achieve them.

"I am really so proud of the effort all the guys put in over what was a very tough weekend."

Meanwhile, Panthers have confirmed their international challenge match with Geneva on Sunday, November 9 (4pm) at the NIC. Ticket details will be announced later.

mick.holland@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk