HockeyThe Cooke case file

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Matt Cooke of Pittsburgh has been more than a handful for opposing goalies and skaters alike in his NHL career. (Michael Dwyer/Associated Press)

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Matt Cooke does not discriminate.

Stars Alexander Ovechkin, Marc Savard, Vincent Lecavalier and Andrei Markov are among the number of players who've felt the pain of a Matt Cooke hit. So have Artem Anisimov and now, Fedor Tyutin.

In the wake of Cooke's hit on Columbus defenceman Tyutin on Tuesday night, which drew a four-game suspension, here is a rundown of some Cooke happenings throughout his career - some legal, some clearly not, but usually in the fray regardless.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Feb. 8, 2011

Cooke drives Fedor Tyutin of the Columbus Blue Jackets into the boards from behind. Potential discipline from the NHL is on hand.

Tyutin calls it the worst hit from behind he's ever received.

Cooke tells the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Tyutin saw him coming and could have avoided being vulnerable.

"It used to be you were responsible for yourself if you turned, but that's not the way anymore," Cooke tells the Post-Gazette. "That call's been called on us four or five times this year. It's the same thing."

Feb. 6, 2011

Cooke upends Washingon star Alexander Ovechkin with a knee-on-knee hit. Ovechkin and teammate Nicklas Backstrom go after Cooke after the play.

Washington coach Bruce Boudreau is livid.

"It was Matt Cooke. Need we say more? It's not like it's his first rodeo," Boudreau said. "He's done it to everybody and then he goes to the ref and says: 'What did I do?' He knows damn well what he did. There's no doubt in my mind that he's good at it and he knows how to do it. He knows how to pick this stuff."

April 30, 2010

Montreal's playoff hopes take a serious blow when Cooke's hit on Andrei Markov ultimately leads to torn knee ligaments for the Canadiens defenceman.

While the hit is clean, it is a bitter blow for Montreal, who saw Cooke plant a cross check to the lower back of Markov in a contest three months earlier.

April 10, 2010

Cooke, who earlier in the season was even able to induce Atlanta star Ilya Kovalchuk into a rare fights, gets his comeuppance.

Rookie Evander Kane, himself not universally popular around the league for usually fighting while wearing a shield, drops a helmetless Cooke with a right hand during a fight.

Cookie is flat on the ice for a few minutes and a stretcher is brought out, but he leaves under his own power.

March 7, 2010

The hit that helped change the league. Cooke drills Boston centre Marc Savard from the blindside, sending the Bruin off on a concussion.

The NHL elects not to suspend Cooke because it is not an illegal play within the rules. Rule 48 would come in effect in the off-season to deal with headshots.

The reaction is swift.

"He's got no respect for the players," said Vincent Lecavalier, who previously tangled with Cooke. "Matt Cooke, he's been doing that for a long time."

Don Cherry rails against Cooke on Coach's Corner, calling him gutless.

Savard has played just 35 games since, dealing with headaches, depression, and ultimately, another concussion.

Nov. 28, 2009

Cooke gets a two-game suspension for a hit to the head on Artem Anisimov. The New York Rangers forward made the mistake of watching the result of his pass and was hit on the head from the blindside by Cooke, who drew a two-minute penalty.

June 2, 2009

While on the ground battling in the Detroit crease in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final, Cooke appears to intentionally lift his skate in the air, making contact up high on Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood. The play goes unnoticed by the officials.

May 18, 2009

With Erik Cole of Carolina driving to the net against Pittsburgh in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final, he is blindsided under his knee by Cooke's knee. Cooke escapes suspension.

March 17, 2009

Cooke skates several strides to hit Zach Bogosian of Atlanta, making leg-on-leg contact, though it appeared he was attempting a clean check to the body.

Jan. 20, 2009

Against Carolina. Cooke suspended two games for a hit to the head on Scott Walker.

Nov. 29, 2008

With the door to New Jersey's bench open, Zach Parise (without the puck) is driven over the boards by a Cooke hit.

Washington Capitals

April 3, 2008

Tampa Bay's poor season winds down with an exclamation mark, as shoulder surgery is required for star Vincent Lecavalier after a Cooke hit.

"Cookie" is fined $2,500 US by the league. Lightning coach John Tortorella calls it an "absolute cheap shot", while Tampa general manager Jay Feaster is perplexed the play didn't draw an interference call.

Washington coach Bruce Boudreau defends Cooke, saying that he intended to hit puck carrier Michel Ouellet but Lecavalier stepped in the path at the last second.

Vancouver Canucks

March 8, 2004

Against Colorado. A night that goes down in infamy due to Todd Bertuzzi's unprovoked attack on Steve Moore, which draws a lengthy suspension.

Moore had drawn the ire of the Vancouver Canucks for a low hit weeks earlier. In the March 8 game, Cooke seeks revenge, dropping the gloves with Moore several minutes before the Bertuzzi incident.

Feb. 19, 2004

Against Minnesota. Cooke spears Matt Johnson of the Minnesota Wild, earning a two-game suspension. Johnson gets five games for slashing Cooke with intent to injure.

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