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Hockey: News and Discussion Thread
03-22-2011, 09:11 AM
Senior Moderator
Agree to disagree. He should've been leading with his shoulder. And in the image I posted he extends and lifts his elbow only at the last second then after hitting the guy in the jaw he lowers it.
03-22-2011, 10:14 AM
I kept quiet waiting for this:
http://bleacherreport.com/tb/b8C1K
DETROIT -- Matt Cooke says he's taking his punishment and taking a look in the mirror.
The Pittsburgh Penguins left wing, whom the NHL suspended for the remainder of the regular season and the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs for elbowing defenseman Ryan McDonagh of the New York Rangers in the head Sunday, told reporters he's accepting the punishment and recognizes he must change the way he plays the game.
"I realize and understand, more so now than ever, that I need to change," Cooke said Monday night, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "That's what I wanted my message to be."
Burnside: Cooke ruling now NHL standard
The NHL handed Matt Cooke a significant suspension Monday. The Pens supported it. Here's hoping this strong message isn't a one-time thing, writes Scott Burnside. Blog
• Suspensions involving hits to the head
"I'm fortunate that Ryan McDonagh wasn't hurt," Cooke said, according to the report. "I don't want to hurt anybody. That's not my intention. I know that I can be better.
"I made a mistake, and I'm the one who's accountable for that. And I take full responsibility for it."
It is Cooke's fifth suspension and the fourth since he signed with the Penguins in 2008. He was banned four games last month for hitting Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Fedor Tyutin from behind.
It was not immediately clear what Penguins owner and Hockey Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux thought of the suspension or Cooke's contrite response: Lemieux was not made available for comment Monday, according to Pittsburgh-area media reports.
Last month, Lemieux lashed out at the NHL for what he perceived to be insufficient discipline following a brawl-filled game between the Islanders and his Penguins. And before last week's NHL general managers meetings in Florida, Lemieux proposed tougher suspensions for players who cross the line -- and stiffer fines for their teams.
Penguins general manager Ray Shero supported the penalty the NHL gave Cooke, saying in a statement that the suspension was "warranted because that's exactly the kind of hit we're trying to get out of the game.
"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."
Cooke said he called Lemieux on Sunday, mindful of his owner's publicly stated position on illegal hits to the head, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
"Everyone knows the short-term history that's gone on with Mario speaking and the backlash he received," Cooke said, according to the report."I just wanted him to know where I was coming from."
Cooke Suspension History
Matt Cooke was suspended for the rest of the regular season and the first round of the playoffs for his elbow to the jaw of the Rangers' Ryan McDonagh, but this wasn't his first time facing the league.
Date Reason Games
3/21/11 Elbow to jaw of Rangers' Ryan McDonagh 10, plus first round of playoffs
2/9/11 Hit from behind on Blue Jackets' Fedor Tyutin 4
11/29/09 Check to head of Rangers' Artem Anisimov 2
1/27/09 Hit to head of Hurricanes' Scott Walker 2
2/21/04 Spearing Wild's Matt Johnson 2
Some of the criticism pointed at Lemieux following his February statement blasting the NHL's discipline noted that his team employs Cooke.
Shero said the Penguins would rather help Cooke follow through on his stated intentions instead of cutting him loose, according to the Tribune-Review.
"I'd prefer to be part of the solution to rehabbing him as a player as opposed to making the decision to toss him overboard to be somebody else's problem and say, 'We did our part,' " Shero said, according to the report. "He's a value to our team when he plays hockey. For him to stay in the league and be a player in this league, he's going to have to do that."
The ruling followed a meeting between Cooke and NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell at the league office in Toronto on Monday.
"Mr. Cooke, a repeat offender, directly and unnecessarily targeted the head of an opponent who was in an unsuspecting and vulnerable position," Campbell said in a statement. "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's unpenalized hit last season on Boston's Marc Savard started an uproar that led to the creation of a rule that bans blindside hits to the head. The rising rate of concussions in the NHL has the league on high alert and was the biggest topic of conversation at last week's general managers meetings.
Savard missed two months with a severe concussion and suffered post-concussion syndrome last summer.
"I think it's about time he gets [suspended]," Bruins forward Brad Marchand said. "He needs to be taught a lesson. He's doing that stuff left, right and center. I expect he'll get a bunch of games. He's got to be taught a lesson. He can't be running around doing that stuff all the time. He's going to seriously hurt someone again -- look at Savvy. He could have easily hurt McDonagh."
Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby hasn't played since Jan. 5 because of a lingering concussion caused by hits to the head in successive games from Washington's David Steckel on Jan. 1 in the Winter Classic and Tampa Bay's Victor Hedman four days later.
Lemieux's complaints came after the Penguins and Islanders combined for 346 penalty minutes, 10 ejections, 15 fighting majors and 20 misconducts on Feb. 11.
The Islanders had two players suspended for their actions, and the team was fined $100,000 for failing to maintain control. Pittsburgh avoided a fine by the NHL, and only Eric Godard on the Penguins' side was suspended -- receiving an automatic 10-game ban for leaving the bench to join a fight.
"The NHL had a chance to send a clear and strong message that those kinds of actions are unacceptable and embarrassing to the sport. It failed," Lemieux said then. "We, as a league, must do a better job of protecting the integrity of the game and the safety of our players. We must make it clear that those kinds of actions will not be tolerated and will be met with meaningful disciplinary action."
Cooke didn't play in that Feb. 11 game against the Islanders because he was serving his other suspension, and he won't be on the ice for the anticipated rematch with New York on April 8.
In 67 games this season, Cooke has 30 points (12-18) and 129 penalty minutes.
The suspension is another setback for a team that has been without Crosby for two months and has lost Evgeni Malkin (knee) for the rest of the season. Crosby is skating, but there isn't a timetable for his return to the lineup.
Information from ESPNBoston.com's Joe McDonald and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
http://bleacherreport.com/tb/b8C1K
DETROIT -- Matt Cooke says he's taking his punishment and taking a look in the mirror.
The Pittsburgh Penguins left wing, whom the NHL suspended for the remainder of the regular season and the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs for elbowing defenseman Ryan McDonagh of the New York Rangers in the head Sunday, told reporters he's accepting the punishment and recognizes he must change the way he plays the game.
"I realize and understand, more so now than ever, that I need to change," Cooke said Monday night, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "That's what I wanted my message to be."
Burnside: Cooke ruling now NHL standard
The NHL handed Matt Cooke a significant suspension Monday. The Pens supported it. Here's hoping this strong message isn't a one-time thing, writes Scott Burnside. Blog
• Suspensions involving hits to the head
"I'm fortunate that Ryan McDonagh wasn't hurt," Cooke said, according to the report. "I don't want to hurt anybody. That's not my intention. I know that I can be better.
"I made a mistake, and I'm the one who's accountable for that. And I take full responsibility for it."
It is Cooke's fifth suspension and the fourth since he signed with the Penguins in 2008. He was banned four games last month for hitting Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Fedor Tyutin from behind.
It was not immediately clear what Penguins owner and Hockey Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux thought of the suspension or Cooke's contrite response: Lemieux was not made available for comment Monday, according to Pittsburgh-area media reports.
Last month, Lemieux lashed out at the NHL for what he perceived to be insufficient discipline following a brawl-filled game between the Islanders and his Penguins. And before last week's NHL general managers meetings in Florida, Lemieux proposed tougher suspensions for players who cross the line -- and stiffer fines for their teams.
Penguins general manager Ray Shero supported the penalty the NHL gave Cooke, saying in a statement that the suspension was "warranted because that's exactly the kind of hit we're trying to get out of the game.
"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."
Cooke said he called Lemieux on Sunday, mindful of his owner's publicly stated position on illegal hits to the head, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
"Everyone knows the short-term history that's gone on with Mario speaking and the backlash he received," Cooke said, according to the report."I just wanted him to know where I was coming from."
Cooke Suspension History
Matt Cooke was suspended for the rest of the regular season and the first round of the playoffs for his elbow to the jaw of the Rangers' Ryan McDonagh, but this wasn't his first time facing the league.
Date Reason Games
3/21/11 Elbow to jaw of Rangers' Ryan McDonagh 10, plus first round of playoffs
2/9/11 Hit from behind on Blue Jackets' Fedor Tyutin 4
11/29/09 Check to head of Rangers' Artem Anisimov 2
1/27/09 Hit to head of Hurricanes' Scott Walker 2
2/21/04 Spearing Wild's Matt Johnson 2
Some of the criticism pointed at Lemieux following his February statement blasting the NHL's discipline noted that his team employs Cooke.
Shero said the Penguins would rather help Cooke follow through on his stated intentions instead of cutting him loose, according to the Tribune-Review.
"I'd prefer to be part of the solution to rehabbing him as a player as opposed to making the decision to toss him overboard to be somebody else's problem and say, 'We did our part,' " Shero said, according to the report. "He's a value to our team when he plays hockey. For him to stay in the league and be a player in this league, he's going to have to do that."
The ruling followed a meeting between Cooke and NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell at the league office in Toronto on Monday.
"Mr. Cooke, a repeat offender, directly and unnecessarily targeted the head of an opponent who was in an unsuspecting and vulnerable position," Campbell said in a statement. "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's unpenalized hit last season on Boston's Marc Savard started an uproar that led to the creation of a rule that bans blindside hits to the head. The rising rate of concussions in the NHL has the league on high alert and was the biggest topic of conversation at last week's general managers meetings.
Savard missed two months with a severe concussion and suffered post-concussion syndrome last summer.
"I think it's about time he gets [suspended]," Bruins forward Brad Marchand said. "He needs to be taught a lesson. He's doing that stuff left, right and center. I expect he'll get a bunch of games. He's got to be taught a lesson. He can't be running around doing that stuff all the time. He's going to seriously hurt someone again -- look at Savvy. He could have easily hurt McDonagh."
Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby hasn't played since Jan. 5 because of a lingering concussion caused by hits to the head in successive games from Washington's David Steckel on Jan. 1 in the Winter Classic and Tampa Bay's Victor Hedman four days later.
Lemieux's complaints came after the Penguins and Islanders combined for 346 penalty minutes, 10 ejections, 15 fighting majors and 20 misconducts on Feb. 11.
The Islanders had two players suspended for their actions, and the team was fined $100,000 for failing to maintain control. Pittsburgh avoided a fine by the NHL, and only Eric Godard on the Penguins' side was suspended -- receiving an automatic 10-game ban for leaving the bench to join a fight.
"The NHL had a chance to send a clear and strong message that those kinds of actions are unacceptable and embarrassing to the sport. It failed," Lemieux said then. "We, as a league, must do a better job of protecting the integrity of the game and the safety of our players. We must make it clear that those kinds of actions will not be tolerated and will be met with meaningful disciplinary action."
Cooke didn't play in that Feb. 11 game against the Islanders because he was serving his other suspension, and he won't be on the ice for the anticipated rematch with New York on April 8.
In 67 games this season, Cooke has 30 points (12-18) and 129 penalty minutes.
The suspension is another setback for a team that has been without Crosby for two months and has lost Evgeni Malkin (knee) for the rest of the season. Crosby is skating, but there isn't a timetable for his return to the lineup.
Information from ESPNBoston.com's Joe McDonald and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
03-22-2011, 10:16 AM
I do think it is pretty weak Mario was not up front and center condemning the way he plays.
03-22-2011, 10:18 AM
Senior Moderator
Didn't Super Mario also say teams should get fined?
03-22-2011, 10:19 AM
Senior Moderator
But, that's not the problem honestly...it's more that people like Cooke don't learn and will never learn.
His "contrite" statements are as sincere as me hoping the Red Wings win another Cup.
His "contrite" statements are as sincere as me hoping the Red Wings win another Cup.
03-22-2011, 10:21 AM
2008 Acura TL
Just given that he is a repeat offender, yes, the suspension is warranted, but McDonagh didn't even get injured, so that should have some weight in the decision.
Can't just run around hitting people with elbows, but I've seen worse.
/deadhorse
Oh, and how much shit will I take if I wear my Mario jersey to the isles/pens game next month?
Can't just run around hitting people with elbows, but I've seen worse.
/deadhorse
Oh, and how much shit will I take if I wear my Mario jersey to the isles/pens game next month?
03-22-2011, 10:35 AM
The sizzle in the Steak
Like I said before....Mario is a blow-hard.
He should have kept his mouth shut when he had a chance.
He should have kept his mouth shut when he had a chance.
03-22-2011, 10:35 AM
The sizzle in the Steak
Update:
Hawks: playoff odds down 0.4 to 88%
Kings: playoff odds up 5.1 to 90.7%
Hawks: playoff odds down 0.4 to 88%
Kings: playoff odds up 5.1 to 90.7%
03-22-2011, 10:44 AM
Just given that he is a repeat offender, yes, the suspension is warranted, but McDonagh didn't even get injured, so that should have some weight in the decision.
Can't just run around hitting people with elbows, but I've seen worse.
/deadhorse
Oh, and how much shit will I take if I wear my Mario jersey to the isles/pens game next month?
Can't just run around hitting people with elbows, but I've seen worse.
/deadhorse
Oh, and how much shit will I take if I wear my Mario jersey to the isles/pens game next month?
Last edited by jupitersolo; 03-22-2011 at 10:47 AM.
03-22-2011, 10:46 AM
03-22-2011, 10:50 AM
Senior Moderator
I liked that idea at first. But then you're punishing his teammates and increasing their chance of injury. Fine the hell out of the team/owner and these dirty goons will have a hard time finding employment.
03-22-2011, 10:53 AM
Senior Moderator
The intent to injure was there. That's all the League needs if you ask me.
03-22-2011, 10:58 AM
Cooke clearly doesn't get that he is effing up the team, maybe if the team doesn't have your back when you get suspended like Cooke has. Maybe being a team member down will get the "adults" to wake up once your teammate start riding your ass.
03-22-2011, 11:00 AM
Senior Moderator
That's not going to happen...but, just saying it would've made for interesting theatre.
03-22-2011, 11:42 AM
Senior Moderator
03-22-2011, 11:56 AM
Senior Moderator
I agree that it makes no sense but that's the way society seems to work.
Shoot someone point blank in the head and kill them and you're charged with murder.
If that person miraculously survives, you're charged with attempted murder.
Makes no sense but its the way it is.
Shoot someone point blank in the head and kill them and you're charged with murder.
If that person miraculously survives, you're charged with attempted murder.
Makes no sense but its the way it is.
03-22-2011, 11:59 AM
Senior Moderator
Regional Coordinator
(Mid-Atlantic)
Regional Coordinator
(Mid-Atlantic)
iTrader: (6)
I'm just here for the Cooke bashing 
03-22-2011, 01:45 PM
Senior Moderator
Somewhere, Sean Avery is chuckling with glee...He may have a mouth that won't STFU...but, at least he's not into taking people's heads off.
Thank-you Matt Cooke.
Thank-you Matt Cooke.
03-22-2011, 02:19 PM
Senior Moderator
When I heard about the Cooke I was hoping it was Avery's head that was detached from its shoulders.
But he was a healthy scratch.
But he was a healthy scratch.
03-22-2011, 02:22 PM
Senior Moderator
In a good world, Cooke would end either a) Burrows b) Ott c) Avery career...and then be suspended for life from the game.
And in jail.
It's too bad it was Savard.
And in jail.
It's too bad it was Savard.
03-22-2011, 02:34 PM
Senior Moderator
Could have sworn that this morning I heard that Ovi will be sitting out the rest of the regular season. But I can't find the story.
Damn Fan 590 spreading BS stories again.
Damn Fan 590 spreading BS stories again.
03-22-2011, 02:36 PM
Senior Moderator
03-22-2011, 02:39 PM
Senior Moderator
Ah, it was yesterday's news. Found it. Doesn't sound at all serious.
03-22-2011, 02:44 PM
Senior Moderator
<--- Relieved Sharp is not out for the season. Bolland...not so sure. 
03-22-2011, 02:46 PM
Trolling Canuckistan
Tie Domi had a head like cement. Does that mean Cooke would have been able to take head shots on him all day since he wasn't going to be able to knock him out? Guys like Savard, Lindros, and LaFontaine had seem to be more prone to suffering concussions. Should they get a free pass to move the puck because it's too risky to put a legal hit on them b/c they may get injured? Not all humans can withstand the same punishment, the penalty in sports needs to be for the act itself, not the result.
Savard was already damaged goods IMO when Matt Hunwick hit him very legally but that hit caused the concussion that shut him down for the year. You can't punish Hunwick for a legal hit that made Savard hit his head. When a guy continues to go over the line with head shots and knee hits, they need to take serious action and it the infractions shouldn't have to cause injury to be punishable.
03-22-2011, 02:55 PM
Senior Moderator
This isn't society though, it's not real life, it's sport. 80% of what goes on in a Hockey game would be assault and battery in the real world so you can't compare the 2.
Tie Domi had a head like cement. Does that mean Cooke would have been able to take head shots on him all day since he wasn't going to be able to knock him out? Guys like Savard, Lindros, and LaFontaine had seem to be more prone to suffering concussions. Should they get a free pass to move the puck because it's too risky to put a legal hit on them b/c they may get injured? Not all humans can withstand the same punishment, the penalty in sports needs to be for the act itself, not the result.
Savard was already damaged goods IMO when Matt Hunwick hit him very legally but that hit caused the concussion that shut him down for the year. You can't punish Hunwick for a legal hit that made Savard hit his head. When a guy continues to go over the line with head shots and knee hits, they need to take serious action and it the infractions shouldn't have to cause injury to be punishable.
Tie Domi had a head like cement. Does that mean Cooke would have been able to take head shots on him all day since he wasn't going to be able to knock him out? Guys like Savard, Lindros, and LaFontaine had seem to be more prone to suffering concussions. Should they get a free pass to move the puck because it's too risky to put a legal hit on them b/c they may get injured? Not all humans can withstand the same punishment, the penalty in sports needs to be for the act itself, not the result.
Savard was already damaged goods IMO when Matt Hunwick hit him very legally but that hit caused the concussion that shut him down for the year. You can't punish Hunwick for a legal hit that made Savard hit his head. When a guy continues to go over the line with head shots and knee hits, they need to take serious action and it the infractions shouldn't have to cause injury to be punishable.
I agree 100%. Just trying to explain why we see comments like that from Rounder and others. The 'whether he was injured' argument comes up every time a suspendable offense is made. Must be a reason for that.
03-22-2011, 02:59 PM
The sizzle in the Steak
03-22-2011, 03:00 PM
Senior Moderator
At least your team doesn't have 3 core guys out.
03-22-2011, 03:02 PM
The sizzle in the Steak
^^ You created a fictitious argument out of your own twisted mind 
03-22-2011, 03:05 PM
Senior Moderator
03-22-2011, 04:09 PM
Senior Moderator
^ It's not playoff time. He doesn't post during the regular season. 
03-22-2011, 05:31 PM
The sizzle in the Steak
03-22-2011, 05:34 PM
I feel the need...
/homer
03-23-2011, 11:58 AM
The sizzle in the Steak
Quick uses telekinesis to make saves 
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Watch the slow-mo....how does that puck make that turn out of nowhere?!?!?!!?
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Watch the slow-mo....how does that puck make that turn out of nowhere?!?!?!!?
03-23-2011, 01:14 PM
Subban had a hat tricck the other night. His first goal was just hustle...
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03-23-2011, 04:44 PM
2008 Acura TL
haha.