Penguins forward Matt Cooke, best known in these parts for his concussion-inducing check on Bruins center Marc Savard last season, reportedly faces an in-person disciplinary hearing with league officials Monday afternoon in Toronto after his latest offensive hit.
On Sunday, Cooke was ejected from the Penguins' 5-2 loss to the Rangers when he threw an elbow to the head of Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh (see the video here [1]).
Cooke, who has been suspended three times in the past three seasons for illegal hits, plays for a team whose management has complained about such behavior from opposing players. Penguins star Sidney Crosby has been sidelined since being concussed in January.
“I don’t think you can talk about eliminating head shots from the game, as we have as an organization, and not expect [Cooke's hit] to be examined,” Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma said. “It’s what looks to be a contact right to the head on the play, so the league will look at that and treat it as such.”
Links:
[1] http://leeinks.weei.com/sports/2011/03/21/video-penguins-matt-cooke-delivers-another-hit-to-head
[2] http://www.weei.com/weei/boston/hockey