Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cooke has been suspended for the remainder of the regular season (10 games) and the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs for his elbow to the head of New York Rangers froward Ryan McDonagh.
The incident happened within the first five minutes of the third period in a game between the Rangers and Penguins on Sunday. Cooke, who has a history of cheap shots came up behind McDonagh and delivered an elbow to the jaw. McDonagh had his back turned to Cooke while he was clearing the puck into the offensive zone. Cooke originally was assessed a five minute major and a game misconduct.
“Mr. Cooke, a repeat offender, directly and unnecessarily targeted the head of an opponent who was in an unsuspecting and vulnerable position,” said NHL senior executive vice president of hockey operations Colin Campbell. “This isn’t the first time this season that we have had to address dangerous behavior on the ice by Mr. Cooke, and his conduct requires an appropriately harsh response.”
Cooke will forfeit $219,512.20 in salary.
“The suspension is warranted because that’s exactly the kind of hit we’re trying to get out of the game,” said Penguins general manager Ray Shero. “Head shots have no place in hockey. We’ve told Matt in no uncertain terms that this kind of action on the ice is unacceptable and cannot happen. Head shots must be dealt with severely, and the Pittsburgh Penguins support the NHL in sending this very strong message.”
Plenty of players from around the NHL have sounded off on the Cooke hit including Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg who believed before the suspension was handed down that Cooke should be gone for the rest of the season and the playoffs.
“I don’t think he should play anymore this year,” Zetterberg told Yahoo! sports writer, Nick Cotsonika.
This latest suspension serves as Cooke’s fifth and his fourth involving a hit to the head or a hit from behind.
Source: TSN.ca, Yahoo Sports
