May 3, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing
Matt Cooke(24) reacts after being assessed a slashing penalty from referee Kelly Sutherland (11) against the New York Islanders during the first period in game two of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Well Bruins Nation, let’s be thankful that Adam McQuaid got up off the ice under his own power and came back to play later in the second period. We’ve all seen what can happen when Matt Cooke blindsides a Bruin. The last few weeks the press in Pittsburgh have made glowing reports on Cooke. They claimed he’s a clean player, and that he’s found God. (I wish I was kidding here.) Well, we all got to see what kind of clean player that Cooke is.
Need a reminder? (Keep in mind this is HNIC claiming that Cooke made a dirty hit. Oh, classy act Pittsburgh fans. Really classy.)
I can hear the chirping already Pens fans. Cooke is a clean player! (Example #1) Cooke didn’t deserve a reputation penalty! (Example #2) Matt Cooke shouldn’t be penalized for playing his kind of hockey. (Example #3) Cooke is being singled out because he’s playing the Bruins in the Conference finals! (Example #4 – Provided by a Penguins fan.) In this one, the background music of the Benny Hill show fits what a clown and obscene joke Cooke has become in the NHL.
At this point, I am surprised that Cooke hasn’t been kicked out of the league. You Tube has an entire section dedicated to his dirty plays. (Example #5) Seriously, this man is a menace to his fellow athletes and a disgrace to the NHL. That this sort of reckless play is allowed to continue should cause concern for the members of the players union and the NHL.
How is the NHL home office dealing with hockey’s most infamous career criminal? Once again the Department of Player Safety has chosen to ignore the kind of hits that end players careers. Well done Shanahan! It’s bad enough that the refs this year have been god awful in their consistency, but your utter lack of consistency makes me have to question what is going on over there in New York and Toronto.
So, how will the Bruins handle this? The same way they have always done. By playing their brand of hockey. It seems to me that as long as the Bruins can play that kind of hockey, then everything should work itself out. (That was a 3-0 shutout for Tuukka, and a total rejection of Crosby.) However, if the league is not prepared and/or able to handle supplemental discipline, I understand that Shawn Thornton is fully capable of addressing the situation.
I guess we’ll see if Matt Cooke has a bulls-eye on his back when game two starts tomorrow night in Pittsburgh. On a happy note, I think everyone in Bruins Nation is elated that Adam McQuaid is OK, and will be back on the ice for game two. Give em’ hell Quaider!
May 25, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid (54) acknowledges a cheering crowd after the Bruins defeated the New York Rangers in game five of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Michael Ivins-USA TODAY Sports