Tales of the Tape: Matt Cooke vs. Rob Niedermayer

by JDunman on Mar 14, 2010 1:18 PM EDT in Fights

It's not much of a surprise to see Matt Cooke's name in the fighting column after the reaction to his non-suspension last week. Chances were pretty good that someone was going to be ready to drop gloves with him. But Rob Niedermayer? Don't worry - this won't take long.

Tensions were raised when Niedermayer ole'd a potential hit from Cooke, leading him straight into the boards. Cooke didn't seem to appreciate his face full of glass and got right into Niedermayer's face with the ref trying to keep the two apart. Fast forward to the face-off, and Cooke and Niedermayer dropped the gloves, discarded the helmets, and went at it.

Or at least Cooke did. Niedermayer used his arm to get a bit of distance in, but Cooke quickly closed the gap. Once the punches began. Niedermayer dropped and that was that. I'm sure at least one person will inexplicably vote Niedermayer the winner of the fight, but this was Cooke, hands down. I said down!

Tampa Bay is up next. With 59 fights (20 more than the Pens), they're fourth in the NHL. 24 of those have come from Zenon Konopka, though he has yet to fight a Penguin this season. In fact, no fights have occurred thus far between the Lightning and the Penguins. Personally, I am always willing to see Steve Downie get his face punched, so here's hoping.

Poll

Who won the fight?

Matt Cooke

224 votes

Rob Niedermayer

9 votes

Draw

4 votes

237 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 5 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I voted Niedermayer.

For two reasons:

1. He owned Cooke on that attempted hit. Owned.

2. His expression after the fight was the same as the one after Cooke hit the glass. You fight someone to knock a smile off their face, not put it on.

Yeah, Cooke won the fight, but even in losing it Niedermayer owned him.

by Phantaskippy on Mar 14, 2010 5:43 PM EDT reply actions

You may be the first person who has ever explained such. I tip my hat to you.

And that attempted hit did make Cooke look like a sucker.

Balancing that fine line between genius and insanity.

by JDunman on Mar 14, 2010 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions

I remember

being in Florida awhile ago when Neidermayer played for the Panthers. Fans were critical of him because he just was not physical enough. We used to call him “the figure skater” – not to dis figure skaters because I figure skate and it is difficult, but grind it out along the boards was not his style. or take one for the team. To say the least. LOL His brother Scott is waaaay better

by CGNC on Mar 14, 2010 7:57 PM EDT reply actions