Penguins Thug Matt Cooke Returns to Ottawa

Tonight, the Pittsburgh Penguins travel to Ottawa to play the Senators and this will be the first matchup between the Senators and Penguins since the defenseman Erik Karlsson was injured on a check by Matt Cooke. From reading some of the news articles around the web, it would appear that this is going to be one of those must watch games.

During tonight’s game, one almost has to suspect there will be some extracurricular activities as well, when the two teams meet on the ice. If Matt Cooke was smart – he’s not – he would accept the challenge to a fight. Some are going to ask, why should Cooke accept a challenge to a fight? Because the hockey code demands it and if he doesn’t, this game has the prospects of turning into a blood bath.

Matt Cooke isn’t known for being a pugilist and the last time he fought an actual middle-heavy weight fighter, was against the Bruins Shawn Thornton on March 18, 2010. Since then, Cooke has chosen to fight star players and other players not known for their fighting prowess.

Penguins coach Dan Bylsma was asked if thought there was going to be any shenanigans during tonight’s game, the coach replied, “I’m not aware they’re dressing Shenanigans … I don’t know what number he would be or what kind of player he would be.”

(Video): Senators owner Eugene Melnyk goes off on Matt Cooke

Apparently, the owner of the Senators Eugene Melnyk feels the same way I do about Penguins forward Matt Cooke. It looks like the Penguins are putting Cooke on notice. The last game between the Penguins and the Senators is going to be a dandy. It might be a blood bath.

"To have him [Karlsson] taken out by a goon [Cooke] it’s just unconscionable," Melnky said. "Whether it was accidental, or whether it was reckless, or whether it was intentional. To me it doesn't matter, it's something that should've never happen. These players should never be playing in this league, these guys are a dime a dozen. That’s exactly what they’re worth per game.”

Final Thoughts on Matt Cooke’s hit on Erik Karlsson

Today, the discussion on twitter and around the hockey blogsphere is the hit that Matt Cooke put on Erik Karlsson.  You can see the hit on the embedded video posted above.

The NHL’s department of Player Safety has reviewed the play and will not suspend Matt Cooke.

First, I hate Matt Cooke, I think he is a disgusting P.O.S. and if this guy was hurt in a fight or by a check and could never play in the NHL again, I wouldn’t be upset. I hold the guy in the lowest regards. Also, if he was standing in front of me I would tell this to his face.  

I understand that Cooke has cleaned up his act on the ice, but you can put chocolate frosting on a turd, it’s still a turd. I also don’t care what Cooke does off the ice; this low life scum has ruined too many good players’ careers on the ice. I also doubt that Marc Savard will donate money to Matt Cooke’s charities, again, it's Matt Cooke.  

To me, Cooke is no different that Todd Bertuzzi.

That being said, I don’t think that Matt Cooke intended to make a dirty check in this instance. The fact that it’s Matt Cooke people will always look at him with skepticism.

(Video) Matt Cooke hit on Erik Karlsson

I am going to preface this with, I hold Matt Cooke in a very low regard especially after what he did to former Boston Bruins forward Marc Savard and a few other players around the league. Make no mistake about it, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cooke is known for his dirty hits, this hit, however is not a dirty or a malicious hit. What do you think? Chime in... Hockey is a physical sport and injuries happen from time-to-time. Tough loss for the Senators.

Worst possible news for Senators. Karlsson suffered lacerated Achilles tendon. Surgery required.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 14, 2013

another wow RT @seangentille: Wow: The Karlsson-Cooke thing happened right in front of an @ap photographer. Wow. Wow. twitter.com/seangentille/s…
— Producer Tim (@TSNProducerTim) February 14, 2013