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No word yet regarding Cory Sarich’s hit on Matt Cooke

Matt Cooke

In this photo from March 20, 2011, Pittsburgh Penguins’ Matt Cooke (24) is escorted from the ice by NHL linesman Derek Amell (75) after he was elected for elbowing New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh in the third period of the NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh. The league announced on Monday March 23, 2011 that Cooke has been suspended for the remainder of the regular season (10 games) and the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the infraction. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

AP

After just two games, Pittsburgh Penguins pest Matt Cooke was involved in another head shot. This time around, however, Cooke was the victim.

Calgary Flames defensemen Cory Sarich delivered the hit in question, which many believe qualifies as a an illegal check. Sarich accused Cooke of embellishing the impact, but the NHL shouldn’t just look the other way if something over-the-line happens but a player keeps playing regular shifts.

In fact, considering the way teams are treating “The Quiet Room” like a kind suggestion rather than a hard rule, Cooke’s reaction shouldn’t stop the league from looking at the hit. (If it feels that the check went over the line, of course.)

It’s still relatively early on this Sunday of light action, so it’s possible that Brendan Shanahan will look this over. At this point, there’s no official word regarding any discipline toward Sarich.

Whether you think it’s karma in action or not, an illegal hit is an illegal hit. What do you think, though? Did Sarich make Cooke’s head the principal point of contact? Let us know in the comments.