Matt Cooke escapes suspension for hit on Marc Savard
by Hooks Orpik on Mar 10, 2010 2:04 PM EST
in News
78 comments
Earlier in the day, TSN's Bob McKenzie - arguably the most level-headed and well-connected ‘person in the know' -- hinted on his Twitter account not to be surprised if Matt Cooke was NOT suspended for his concussion-causing hit on Boston's Marc Savard. McKenzie, a very outspoken opponent of headshots, said that the hit wasn't "illegal" by the current rules and since Mike Richards escaped suspension earlier in the season on a similar type of hit, it wouldn't be surprising to see Cooke slide through as well.
Turns out that will be the case, as after a 12:30 conference call with NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell, it's been reported that Cooke will not be punished. However the legality of this type of hit is likely to change very soon.
NHL General Managers were scheduled to meet this week anyways to talk about rules changes, and with head safety/concussions already a priority, the Cooke/Savard incident put it right in the fore-front. The GM's passed this wording for a new rule (which still has a couple steps to go before becoming official)
"A lateral, back pressure or blindside hit to an opponent where the head is targeted and or the principal point of contact is not permitted.
A violation of the above will result in a minor or major penalty and shall be reviewed for possible supplemental discipline."
In a nutshell, this would outlaw what Cooke did to Savard and what Mike Richards did to David Booth, and set offenders up for a potential suspension. It's definitely a step in the right direction for the NHL to define what you can and can't do while on the ice.
That's small consolation though to the Boston Bruins and their fans, considering one of their best forwards is really hurting and doesn't have a high standard of life right now, let alone a timetable to return to the ice. For a team right on the playoff bubble, an absent Savard could tip the scales of their whole season in a negative way, just as Florida losing their leading goal scorer for such a long time hurt their chances for post-season play. And no matter how long you suspend the hitter, that's something the hitee and their team can't get back.
The Penguins play in Boston on March 18th, and barring injury it's likely Cooke will have to deal with thousands of jeering fans and a group of angry players. Of Cooke's three fights this season, two are against New York Rangers, including one on the night that Cooke hit Artem Anisimov. It seems likely on 3/18 that Cooke will have to answer the bell again, and perhaps in whatever small form, it'll be a chance for some small measure of vengeance.
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The league showed consistancy between two similiar cases but players from different points of the spectrum. Now I’ve seen everything.
Or Campbell decided Cookie is a star player when he consulted his flowchart.
There is a knack to flying: it's learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.
by Sid the captain on Mar 10, 2010 2:39 PM EST reply actions
I’m definitely opposed to headshots, and I am glad they are taking steps to correct some of the issues regarding headshots, but Cooke didn’t do anything that was specifically against the rules. I know it sucks, but what he did was 100% legal.
Now if they put this rule in place, and it happens again, then you suspend him for 5-10.
but Cooke didn’t do anything that was specifically against the rules. I know it sucks, but what he did was 100% legal.
Now if they put this rule in place, and it happens again, then you suspend him for 5-10.
That’s almost exactly what Colin Campbell just said in his explanation (without the specfics, of course).
If it were up to me, both Richards and Cooke would have been suspended, but I can see the logic in now not suspending Cooke being as Richards walked.
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
thats just crazy though, the least violent of the 3 hits Cooke on Anisimov is the one that warrants a suspension….but hey its the NHL.
by genomachine-O on Mar 10, 2010 3:15 PM EST up reply actions
The problem is the Anisimov hit was the only one that “technically violated a rule.” If the NHL is committed to actually being consistent, this could be a good thing, but I’m not convinced that we’re seeing the dawn of a new day in NHL supplemental discipline.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
by Fehr and Balanced on Mar 11, 2010 3:51 PM EST up reply actions
quite surprised that they didn’t use the Cooke hit to set an example of things to come…
we’re in for quite a game next Thursday in Btown
You have to see it for yourself...
I hope the refs call everything on Thursday. I have a bad feeling about how things are going to turn out if they don’t…
by Hatt the Moople on Mar 10, 2010 2:55 PM EST up reply actions
I think they’ll be on high alert for sure.
Cooke’s going to have to answer the bell. For his sake, I hope he does it early and gives someone with some toughness a chance to fight him.
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
True, but even Steve Moore answered the bell, and that didn’t stop a certain Canuck from pile-driving him later in the game.
by Hatt the Moople on Mar 10, 2010 3:03 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe so, still made me chuckle.
There is a knack to flying: it's learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.
by Sid the captain on Mar 10, 2010 4:45 PM EST up reply actions
Lori and I were at the game, sitting very close to the incident, and nobody in our section saw the hit happen. Our eyes followed the puck and then suddenly Savard was lying flat on the ice and not moving. Everyone in the section started craning to look at the televisions below us to see the replay, trying to figure out what happened.
It seemed like he was still for a long time, and it was horrible to see. Reading about the severity of the concussion is sickening — if this happened to a Penguin I would be furious. I can understand that Cooke did not break a rule that is currently on the books, but I am glad they are changing the rules to make this hit illegal. It was totally unnecessary and never should have happened.
Something more than rules
There is special karma in Hell for players like Richards and Cooke. Wait until someone takes out Crosby – I hope it is a legal, square-on, face-to-face hit that puts him on a stretcher and out for the season. Maybe Ovechkin is the perfect person to do it. Then perhaps Matt Cooke will start to give a $$!# about other human beings in his “profession”.
Karma?Did you say Karma?
Was this the same Marc Savard that tried calling out Sid for wearing a visor a few years back? And if I recall correctly,Sid went to the bench and had the trainer remove said visor,yet not a peep was made the rest of the game from Mr. Savard.I don’t think I’ve seen any mention of this anywhere.Karma,indeed..
How is that karma? Because he pussed out of a fight with Sid he should get his brains scrambled?
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
by Fehr and Balanced on Mar 11, 2010 3:53 PM EST up reply actions
Wait until someone takes out Crosby – I hope it is a legal, square-on, face-to-face hit that puts him on a stretcher and out for the season. Maybe Ovechkin is the perfect person to do it.
Can you imagine? Ovechkin would probably hurt himself too. The top two stars in the game go down, the league would crumble, and all because of Matt Cooke.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Mar 10, 2010 5:37 PM EST up reply actions
Ovechkin
The only problem with your assessment is that for Ovi to hurt someone with a check it would have to be illegal. That’s pretty much the only kind of checks he throws…
Exhibit A
Capitals star Ovechkin gets game misconduct
Sunday, 03.14.2010 / 1:41 PM / News
Associated Press
CHICAGO (AP) – NHL scoring leader Alex Ovechkin is out of the Capitals’ game against the Blackhawks after receiving a five-minute major and a game misconduct in the first period for driving Chicago’s Brian Campbell into the boards from behind.
Ovechkin raced up the ice and knocked Campbell into the boards behind the net at 7:44 of the opening period on Sunday.
Campbell stayed down for several minutes before he was able to leave the ice with a trainer at his side and head to the locker room.
Ovechkin first went to the penalty box and then skated across the ice and into the locker room.
Don’t be so dramatic. Scott Stevens made a career out of hits like this. If Cooke would have thrown this hit twenty years ago, people would a applauding.
by Hatt the Moople on Mar 10, 2010 6:34 PM EST up reply actions
Scott Stevens made a career for himself by being one of the greatest defensive defensemen and captains ever to play in the NHL. While there is no doubt that Stevens is best remembered for his open-ice hits, his hitting was just one facet of a stellar overall game that made Stevens the player that he was.
Of course, but if you ask a normal fan what they remember Scott Stevens for the most now a few years into his retirement it probably involves his shoulder into Eric Lindros’ noggin.
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
by Hooks Orpik on Mar 10, 2010 10:50 PM EST up reply actions
I know. But just because it’s what stands out the most about Stevens to the majority of hockey fans doesn’t mean that was all he was good at. I just don’t like it when people try to make it seem like Stevens’ career can be summed up by his ‘Greatest Hits’ video on YouTube when there was so much more to him as a player than that. I mean, the guy played over twenty seasons in the NHL, captaining the New Jersey Devils to three Stanley Cup championships and earning himself a Hart Trophy and a place in the Hockey Hall of Fame for his efforts. If Stevens were as one-dimensional as most people make him out to be, it’s highly unlikely that he would have accomplished all of that.
Interestingly enough, however, when watching coverage of the General Manager’s meeting on the NHL network, I’ve noticed quite a few GMs (and Colin Campbell) go out of their way to say how they aren’t trying to eradicate the ‘Scott Stevens open-ice hit’ from the game, even though they kind of are. It’s almost like they’re afraid of coming out and saying, ‘we think you were a dirty hitter and now we’re trying to make that kind of play illegal.’ Even five years into his retirement, I don’t think there is a single person involved in the National Hockey League who would straight up accuse Scott Stevens to his face of having been a ‘dirty’ player. I mean, the guy is still kind of terrifying, even if he’s only coaching for the Devils now instead of playing for them.
I wasn’t trying to downplay Stevens’ achievements, I just feel that some people need to be reminded that hits like this aren’t a new thing. They’ve been around forever, and it’s not like the Hockey Gods are going to descend from to Heavens to cripple whoever threw them. They’ve been here before, and they’ll be here even after the NHL implements their rule changes.
by Hatt the Moople on Mar 11, 2010 12:57 AM EST up reply actions
Most of, if not all, the Stevens’ hits were head on though. For example, the Lindros hit is the posterboy for the number one rule in hockey: keep you !@#$%^& head up
by lostprophetRJX on Mar 11, 2010 1:46 AM EST up reply actions
Stevens was definitely a force in all areas on the defensive side of the puck, and especially good at hitting…however he did not come close to winning the Hart Trophy…he does have a Conn Smythe however.
by LastSonOfKrypton on Mar 11, 2010 2:54 AM EST up reply actions
Bleh. That’s what I meant. I have a cold and the fuzzy feeling of medicine head has jumbled up the various names of the NHL’s various trophies (named after old dead guys that no one has ever really heard of) in my mind. I remembered that the Hart was MVP of something and seized on it, forgetting that the Hart is awarded to the MVP of the regular season whereas the Conn Smythe is given to the playoff MVP. Sorry about that.
You didn’t even go far enough in your defense, kellyn. Those Stevens hits weren’t dirty. There are only probably 3 hits in the Stevens Greatest Hits video that I have a problem with, and those are because he hit a guy that was already tied up with a teammate. You don’t hit a guy that’s engaged. But both the Kariya and Lindros hits were frontal assaults. He didn’t come in from a blindspot. He didn’t attack on a tangent and clip the guys’ heads. He came straight at them and if their heads weren’t dropped down in front of them he would have hit them right in the chest. The Cooke/Richards hits were nothing like the Stevens on Lindros hit.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
by Fehr and Balanced on Mar 11, 2010 3:58 PM EST up reply actions
Not to mention Kariya decided to turn INTO center ice on the rush against Stevens. That’s kinda like running toward an angry bull waving a a red cape. If you wanna risk that, you’ve got the dumb type of courage lol.
by lostprophetRJX on Mar 11, 2010 5:35 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah. I have a little more problem with the Kariya hit, but only because I thought it was borderline late. It wasn’t that he targeted the head or came from the guy’s blindside. He hit him front and center. But that’s about as long as you can wait to hit a guy after he moves the puck, IMO.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
by Fehr and Balanced on Mar 11, 2010 6:37 PM EST up reply actions
I hope it is a legal, square-on, face-to-face hit that puts him on a stretcher and out for the season
What type of karma does statements like this bring?
Hopefully the dude being hit by a car tomorrow for wishing serious injury on another.
by lostprophetRJX on Mar 10, 2010 11:54 PM EST up reply actions
Another that doesn’t deserve it, that is.
by lostprophetRJX on Mar 11, 2010 2:05 AM EST up reply actions
Not Crosby
If someone hits Crosby like Savard got hit, they’ll be suspended. I’m waiting to see what the Pens come up with to keep Cooke out of the game. He has been a cheap-shot artist and world-class pussy since he was with the Canucks. All the Bruins have been hearing the last week is how they are gutless ( and they are) so they will be ready. I guess we will see if the little bitch, Cooke, actually comes out on the ice. Or maybe he’ll just run his mouth while he hides behind his linemates… like he normally does.
P.S. Primadonna Sid, keep your head up!
All the Bruins have been hearing the last week is how they are gutless ( and they are) so they will be ready.
That’s kinda like the FLA/PHI situation. FLA was roasted for not doing anything after the hit then the next two times they played PHI there were like 6 combined first period fights. This game is definitely going to be a game to watch for every hockey fan.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
by Fehr and Balanced on Mar 12, 2010 1:16 AM EST up reply actions
I’m a bit surprised. Note: That doesn’t necessarily mean I wanted him to be suspended, but I didn’t think he would get off so easy. Now in comparing to the Richards hit all along, i suppose I am happy to see that there is some sort of standard set by the league…whatever that may be.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
I, too, am slightly surprised by the continuity of the NHL in response to hits like this. If there’s one thing that’s been consistent about Colin Campbell’s kangaroo court of hockey justice, it is it’s inconsistency. I almost expect to look out the window and see frogs hopping past during a snow storm while lightning flashes in the background.
This was the appropriate decision. According to the letter of the law as it currently stands, there was nothing illegal about Cooke’s hit on Savard, regardless of how regrettable the outcome of the play may be. To suspend Cooke for something that, according to the NHL rulebook, is not a suspendable offense, would have been ludicrous.
LOL LOL LOL!!!
Some of these comments on Puck Daddy are hilarious. Comparing it to Bertuzzi and Cormier. Saying that someone should cheap shot Sid. It’s amazing the lack of intelligence of some people in this world. If only to “clear them all out” somehow…..
Pens will field an AHL team in the playoffs
Matt Cooke and the complicit Colin Campbell have put a bull’s eye on the head of every Penguin player. Everyone in the league wants your entire team carried off on a stretcher. Repeat offender, thug! I hope their disability insurance is paid up and they hug their kids and wives before going off to every last game- it may be their last.
Because THAT’S the mature thing to do. It’s EVERYBODY’S fault and not just Cookie’s.
by lostprophetRJX on Mar 10, 2010 11:51 PM EST up reply actions
I have to agree. Do you remember how everyone in the league targeted all of the Flyers’ stars after the Booth hit? Oh wait, they didn’t…
by Hatt the Moople on Mar 11, 2010 12:59 AM EST up reply actions
Boy, beating someone in 8 of 9 playoff series really makes them insecure, huh?
by SlayerGhaleon on Mar 11, 2010 1:27 AM EST up reply actions
And hostile. They hate what they fear.
by lostprophetRJX on Mar 11, 2010 1:44 AM EST up reply actions
“A lateral, back pressure or blindside hit to an opponent where the head is targeted and or the principal point of contact is not permitted.
A violation of the above will result in a minor or major penalty and shall be reviewed for possible supplemental discipline."
As Barry Melrose said, it must be more black and white than this. Because then you’re just going to create controversy with the keyword “targeted.” You have to include a exceptions such as “unless the victim purposely and/or knowingly places himself in a vulnerable position.” Then hits resembling those on Booth and Savard would be deemed illegal, while hits resembling Sutter would be legal.
by lostprophetRJX on Mar 10, 2010 11:59 PM EST reply actions
I agree with Barry (never thought I’d ever put those words in writing). They NHL needs to ban hits to head, regardless. No exception. I go back to the high sticking rule. It is a black and white rule, and while occassionaly a player gets penalized for a 100% accidental play, tough. It keeps players safe and on the ice. I think a 100% no head shot rule would go a long way to accomplish the same goal.
Speaking of cheap shots, this is incredible: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK5WMgFzljc
No, not the cross check to the neck, the fact that none other than schoolgirl Ryan Whitney did it!!
I actually applaud him because Neil was one of those very few hack pieces of trash I always wished injury on.
Why is that incredible? Ryan Whitney is on film spearing an adult man in the balls. If you are lame enough to do that then I’m not really shocked after that. I’m glad Whitney got traded to EDM. Only a Canadian could cheer for that asshole after the Olympics.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
by Fehr and Balanced on Mar 11, 2010 4:02 PM EST up reply actions
Hahaha I forgot about that spear. You make a point. Ryan Whitney is cancer that prevents teams from winning. I will always hate you, Ryan Whitney.
by lostprophetRJX on Mar 11, 2010 5:30 PM EST up reply actions
I’m sure Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry (especially) had some kind words for him after the Gold medal game.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
by Fehr and Balanced on Mar 11, 2010 6:37 PM EST up reply actions
Why don’t you just stop pretending you actually care about players’ health and just admit you simply hate the Penguins? Considering you advocated the headhunting of our entire team, it’s obvious you really don’t care about Savard or anyone else getting hurt.
by SlayerGhaleon on Mar 11, 2010 1:28 PM EST up reply actions
In the PHI first game against FLA Brian McCabe challenged Richards off the bat. Richards accepted the fight and the game moved on and ended up being a pretty good game. In the first meeting with Booth back in the line up, Booth challenged Richards and Richards accepted again. Good on both of those guys. I’m real curious to see if Cooke mans up like Richards did.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
by Fehr and Balanced on Mar 11, 2010 4:03 PM EST reply actions
That’s definitely his reputation, but he did drop ’em against NYR. This BOS game will go a long way toward proving or disproving that reputation.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
by Fehr and Balanced on Mar 11, 2010 4:32 PM EST up reply actions
He may. He’s an agitator but I don’t see him backing down nearly the way Avery does. He’s more like Ruutu.
by lostprophetRJX on Mar 11, 2010 5:36 PM EST up reply actions
All three of those guys are basically equivalent in my eyes. Ruutu is the dirtiest of the group, Avery is the biggest D bag, but I don’t have any respect for how any of those guys play.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
by Fehr and Balanced on Mar 11, 2010 6:38 PM EST up reply actions
Out of curiosity
Did you feel the same way about Cooke when he was a Cap?
by PensAreYourDaddy on Mar 11, 2010 7:08 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah I did. My take is that he was always a hit from behind waiting to happen. We didn’t have him for that long, and he played well for us so I dealt with it, but there was no chance he was ever going to be a fan favorite for me.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
by Fehr and Balanced on Mar 11, 2010 7:17 PM EST up reply actions
Let me ask a question to take this in a slightly different direction
What’s being done in the locker room of the Pens to address this. I would think that the real leaders on the team would sit him down and say something to the effect of “enough.” You know, the players policing themselves, the way it should be.
Has there been any chatter along those lines that you all have heard? Just curious. It would make for a much better solution to the this problem for everyone. That way, we could all get back to talking about hockey instead of this guy.
And yes, I’m a B’s fan.
I hate that I can't sign off with "bt" anymore.
That’s a good question, but I doubt that anything along those lines would make its way outside the locker room.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Mar 12, 2010 10:50 AM EST up reply actions
I suppose that you're right.
Has there been any discussion about this with the media and fans though?
I hate that I can't sign off with "bt" anymore.
I haven’t heard anything like that. From outward appearances, Cooke looked to be pretty remorseful. Maybe his teammates are picking up on that and they figure he sees the error of his ways. It’s an interesting point because I’m sure there are guys on the team who didn’t care for that hit.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Mar 12, 2010 11:27 AM EST up reply actions
Well, sure.
I mean, what goes around, comes around. To all of them. If you watched the game, there was a point when they were helping Savvy when you could see Bergeron yapping at Crosby. All I could think was that he was asking “WTF?” Expecting that the boys in the room would police it. It’s really the only way that this stuff will go away. I don’t have a lot of faith that by putting a rule in, you’ll clean it up enough.
I hate that I can't sign off with "bt" anymore.
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